Irelands most likely Olympic 2012 Medals

Big week coming up for our medal prospects in the sailing. Annalise Murphy and the men's star duo Peter O'Leary and David Burrows are out in Miami to take part in the opening World Cup event of 2012. Although Olympic qualification is secure this is a vital stop-off on their preparations for the London Olympics.
Here is a great article on the sailors, outlining that they have huge potential and includes superb graphs showing that if they get their consisitency in order, we have world beaters in the Irish ranks. Annalise Murphy for the majority of the competition is head and shoulders above the rest but lets herself down in one or two races putting her behind the leading girls. I listened to a radio interview with her a few weeks ago and she says she knows exactly why this happens and believes she can iron it out. Let's hope so.

http://www.afloat.ie/resources/water-rat/item/17735-sailing-medals-on-the-horizon-if-inconsistency-can-be-ironed-out

Ireland's badminton player Scott Evans has made a welcome return to form. He is through to the quarter-finals of the Swedish Open which should bag him more Olympic ranking points. This comes after last weeks ranking event the Estonian Open in which he reached the quarter-finals before having to pull out of his match due to a wrist injury. His match tomorrow morning is scheduled for 10:30am Irish time. I think you can watch it via this link:

http://t.co/7uofFBCN

UPDATE: Tori Pena added 10cm to the Irish indoor record in the pole vault and 5cm to her absolute best (indoor and outdoor). She still is 5cm short of the A-standard but it is encouraging form and bodes well for the rest of the season.

Here is a useful table with Irish athletes that can be updated as the season progresses.
Athletes in bold have achieved the A qualifying standard.
Athletes in red have achieved the B qualifying standard.
(A) = A standard
(B) = B standard
(B*)= B standard, but A standard has been achieved by another athlete in that event.


MEN:ATHLETE|EVENT|OLYMPIC STANDARDS|2012 SEASON BEST|2011 S.B.|PERSONAL BEST|
Jason Smyth|100m|A=10.18secs;B=10.24secs||10.22secs (B)|10.22secs|
Jason Smyth|200m|A=20.55secs;B=20.65secs||20.94secs|20.94secs|
Paul Hession|200m|A=20.55secs;B=20.65secs||20.51secs (A)|20.30secs|
Steven Colvert|200m|A=20.55secs;B=20.65secs||20.76secs|20.76secs|
David Gillick|400m|A=45.30secs;B=45.90secs||46.64secs (injured)|44.77secs|
Brian Gregan|400m|A=45.30secs;B=45.90secs||45.96secs|45.96secs|
Thomas Chamney|800m|A=1:45.60mins;B=1:46.30mins||injured|1:45.41mins|
Paul Robinson|800m|A=1:45.60mins;B=1:46.30mins||1:47.31mins|1:47.31mins|
Mark English|800m|A=1:45.60mins;B=1:46.30mins||1:47.09mins|1:47.09mins|
David McCarthy(1983)|800m|A=1:45.60mins;B=1:46.30mins||1:46.62mins|1:46.62mins|
Darren McBrearty|800m|A=1:45.60mins;B=1:46.30mins||1:47.79mins|1:47.79mins|
Dave Campbell|800m|A=1:45.60mins;B=1:46.30mins||1:51.13mins (injured)|1:45.59mins|
Ciaran O'Lionaird|1,500m|A=3:35.50mins;B=3:38.00mins||3:34.46mins (A)|3:34.46mins|
Thomas Chamney|1,500m|A=3:35.50mins;B=3:38.00mins||injured|3:36.83mins|
Rory Chesser|1,500m|A=3:35.50mins;B=3:38.00mins||3:42.94mins|3:40.08mins|
Paul Robinson|1,500m|A=3:35.50mins;B=3:38.00mins||3:42.29mins|3:42.29mins|
John Travers|1,500m|A=3:35.50mins;B=3:38.00mins||3:42.07mins|3:42.07mins|
Darren McBrearty|1,500m|A=3:35.50mins;B=3:38.00mins||3:42.68mins|3:42.68mins|
Dave Campbell|1,500m|A=3:35.50mins;B=3:38.00mins||injured|3:39.18mins|
Alistair Cragg|5,000m|A=13:20.00mins;B=13:27.00mins||13:03.53mins (A)|13:03.53mins|
Mark Christie|5,000m|A=13:20.00mins;B=13:27.00mins||13:28.21mins|13:28.21mins|
Mark Kenneally|Marathon|A=2:15:00hrs;B=2:18:00hrs||2:13:55hrs(A)|2:13:55hrs|
Sean Connolly|Marathon|A=2:15:00hrs;B=2:18:00hrs||2:17:23hrs (B*)|2:17:23hrs|
Thomas Fraser|Marathon|A=2:15:00hrs;B=2:18:00hrs||2:19:42hrs|2:19:42mins|
Ben Reynolds|110m Hurdles|A=13.52secs;B=13.60secs||13.75secs|13.75secs|
Thomas Barr|400m Hurdles|A=49.50secs;B=49.80secs||50.06secs|50.06secs|
Robert Heffernan|20km Walk|A=1:22:30hrs;B=1:24:30hrs||1:20:54hrs(A)|1:19:22hrs|
Robert Heffernan|50km Walk|A=3:59:00hrs;B=4:09:00hrs||3:49:30hrs(A)|3:45:30hrs|
Brendan Boyce|50km Walk|A=3:59:00hrs;B=4:09:00hrs||3:57:58hrs (A)|3:57:58hrs|
Colin Griffin|50km Walk|A=3:59:00hrs;B=4:09:00hrs||no time recorded|3:51:32mins|
Michael Doyle|50km Walk|A=3:59:00hrs;B=4:09:00hrs||no time recorded|no time recorded|
Jamie Costin|50km Walk|A=3:59:00hrs;B=4:09:00hrs||no time recorded|3:50:51hrs|



WOMEN:ATHLETE|EVENT|OLYMPIC STANDARDS|2012 SEASON BEST|2011 S.B.|PERSONAL BEST|
Ailish McSweeney|100m|A=11.29secs;B=11.38secs||11.89secs (injured)|11.40secs|
Amy Foster|100m|A=11.29secs;B=11.38secs||11.49secs|11.49secs|
Amy Foster|200m|A=23.10secs;B=23.30secs||23.53secs|23.53secs|
Niamh Whelan|200m|A=23.10secs;B=23.30secs||23.87secs|23.30secs|
Joanne Cuddihy|400m|A=51.55secs;B=52.35secs||51.82secs (B)|50.73secs|
Ciara Mageean|800m|A=1:59.90mins;B=2:01.30mins||2:02.31mins (mixed race, not recognised by IAAF)|2:02.31mins (mixed race)|
Ciara Mageean|1,500m|A=4:06.00mins;B=4:08.90mins||4:07.45mins (B)|4:07.45mins|
Fionnuala Britton|5,000m|A=15:20.00mins;B=15:30.00mins||15:21.45mins (mixed race, not recognised by IAAF)|15:21.45mins (mixed race)|
Mary Cullen|5,000m|A=15:20.00mins;B=15:30.00mins||injured|15:19.04mins|
Fionnuala Britton|10,000m|A=31:45.00mins;B=32:10.00mins||no time recorded|no time recorded|
Mary Cullen|10,000m|A=31:45.00mins;B=32:10.00mins||33:02.74mins|32:21.42mins|
Linda Byrne|Marathon|A=2:37:00hrs;B=2:43:00hrs||2:36:20hrs (A)|2:36:20hrs|
Ava Hutchinson|Marathon|A=2:37:00hrs;B=2:43:00hrs|2:35:33hrs (A)|2:42:48hrs|2:35:33hrs|
Maria McCambridge|Marathon|A=2:37:00hrs;B=2:43:00hrs||2:40:26hrs (B*)|2:35:29hrs|
Gladys Ganiel-O'Neill|Marathon|A=2:37:00hrs;B=2:43:00hrs|2:40:56hrs (B*)|2:41:22hrs(B*)|2:40:56hrs|
Catriona Jennings|Marathon|A=2:37:00hrs;B=2:43:00hrs||2:43:08hrs|2:43:08hrs|
Fionnuala Britton|3,000m Steeple Chase|A=9:43.00min;B=9:48.00mins||9:37.60mins (A)|9:37.60mins|
Stephanie Reilly|3,000m Steeple Chase|A=9:43.00min;B=9:48.00mins||9:42.91mins (A)|9:42.91mins|
Roisin McGettigan|3,000m Steeple Chase|A=9:43.00min;B=9:48.00mins||no time recorded|9:28.29mins|
Derval O'Rourke|100m Hurdles|A=12.96secs;B=13.15secs||12.84secs (A)|12.65secs|
Jessie Barr|400m Hurdles|A=55.50secs;B=56.65secs||56.62secs (B)|56.62secs|
Deirdre Ryan|High Jump|A=1.95m;B=1.92m||1.95m (A)|1.95m|
Tori Pena|Pole Vault|A=4.50m;B=4.40m|4.45m (indoor) (B)|4.40m (B)|4.45m (indoor)|
Kelly Proper|Long Jump|A=6.75m;B=6.65m|5.98m (indoor)|6.45m(indoor)|6.62m (indoor)|
Olive Loughnane|20km Walk|A=1:33:30hrs;B=1:38:00hrs||1:31:55hrs (A)|1:27:45hrs|
Laura Reynolds|20km Walk|A=1:33:30hrs;B=1:38:00hrs||1:35:34hrs (B*)|1:35:34hrs|

In men's hockey news, Ireland put in a much improved performance against powerhouses of the sport the Netherlands, losing narrowly 2-1. The teams will meet for a third and final time on Tuesday at 1pm Irish time. Great preparation for the Olympic qualifiers.

Cardinal Richelieu wrote: »

This thread is entitled " Irelands most likely Olympic 2012 Medal" by the OP but it seems to have descended into who might be on the plane to London. Who are the actually medal contenders?

Overall, I'd say there are around 10 events whereby Irish athletes have at least an outside chance of medals. Here are some of those most likely to step onto the podium:

1. Katie Taylor (women's lightweight boxing):
She is favourite for gold but still has to qualify for the Olympics.

2. John Joe Nevin (men's bantamweight boxing):
Twice a world bronze medallist and he should be thereabouts. He can beat anyone but not a certainty to deliver.

3. Michael Conlan (men's flyweight boxing):
He is quickly emerging as a huge talent and reached the world championship quarter-finals. He only lost that tie by just one point to the eventual silver medallist and he is in with a real chance of silverware in London.

4. Darren O'Neill (men's middleweight boxing):
O'Neill reached the quarter-finals in the world championships bowing out to the silver medallist from Japan. He has won a European silver medal in 2010 and while not amongst the favourites for a medal could surprise us. Needs a kind draw.

5.Paddy Barnes (men's lightweight boxing):
Barnes is a former European gold medallist and of course won a magnificent Olympic bronze medal in Beijing aged only 18. He had a disappointing year last year as he was injured for the Europeans and had to withdraw and didn't box well at the World Championships. If he comes through the Olympic qualifiers and seems to be returning to his best form then a medal is well within his reach.

6.Joe Ward or Kenny Egan (men's heavyweight boxing):
These two outstanding boxers will compete for only one available spot on the Irish team. Egan has the experience of an Olympic silver medal but is at the twilight of his career. Outside shot of a medal but not likely. Could beat Ward though.
Joe Ward is the reigning European champion (which he won aged 17!!) and if he can come by the sizable obstacles of Kenny Egan domestically and then the Olympic qualifying tournament, then he will be in with a huge chance of a medal.
Note: any other boxers that go on to qualify have a decent shout of a medal but will need a kind draw at the Olympics.

7.Robert Heffernan (50km Walk):
He is likely to go very close to the medals in the 50km walk. Possibly our best chance outside of the boxers. He will probably walk a personal best at the Olympics and if he does he will be in the hunt for a medal. The reason why I think he will have a P.B. in London is due to the fact that he has only raced the distance a couple of times and set an Irish record at the European championships in 2010, placing 4th. He raced the 20km walk just 4 days prior to this and set off at a conservative pace as he didn't have experience with the pacing required. This meant he finished stronger than any other athlete and was very close to the medals. Two years on he has more experience with the distance and has trained more specifically for the 50km walk and even if he attempts the 20km/50km double in London, there is a 7 day rest as oppposed to the 4 day rest he had in 2010 when he set the Irish record. Looking very promising.

8. Annalise Murphy (women's laser radial sailing):
Annalise is in with a huge shout of a medal. Her 6th place finish overall at the world championships does not do justice to the potential she has. She won more races at the worlds in her category than anyone else and at the London test event in Weymouth (the host of Olympic sailing regatta) she won more races than any other sailor in any category men or women bar a certain Ben Ainsley (triple Olympic champion), with whom she tied in amount of races won. She could be bringing home a medal next year.

9.Peter O'Leary and David Burrows (men's star sailing):
Similar to Annalise, this pair have the potential to win a medal and are outstanding sailors at Weymouth where the Olympics will be staged. They compete in the same category as some of the best sailors in Olympic history but they have the ability to be medal winners.

10.Aileen Morrison (women's triathlon):
Aileen is consistently amongst the world's top 10 performers and has won medals at big events on the circuit over the last couple of seasons. It might be a big ask for her to claim an Olympic medal but there is no doubt she has the potential to put in a huge performance on the day.

We have other outside chances of medals such as individual showjumping, Ciaran O'Lionaird in the men's 1,500m, Martyn Irvine in track cycling Omnium and perhaps Olive Loughnane in the 20km walk. You never know with a bit of luck on the day what could happen.

Yes, at the 2008 Olympics Denis Lynch was on a clear score going into the final round before him and a string of others were pulled out of the competition (something to do with a cream used on the horse which contained banned substances).
Three day eventing is something which we need to be targeting more specifically as there is scope for potential medals at Olympic Games.

Day 2 at the Miami Sailing World Cup regatta and better news for the Irish.
Peter O'Leary and David Burrows have climbed into 9th position overall in the men's keelboat Star after a 15th and a 2nd place finish in today's races. Annalise Murphy has risen 2 positions in the women's Laser radial and now sits in 11th place overall after an 8th and 19th place in her races today. Winds were very light today (between 5-9 knots) and anyone who has been following her progress will be mindful that Annalise enjoys much more breezy conditions. Nevertheless she is reasonably well placed in her 60 boat fleet and will be hoping to continue to improve as the competition progresses.
James Espey is is 19th position overall in the 78-boat strong Laser fleet, a commendable performance so far.

finbarrk wrote: »

Our dressage scores usually let us down there. We are usually very competitive in the CC and the Jumping.

Yes, dressage has always been our "achilles' heel" but in recent times some of our three-day eventers have been posting much more respectable scores in the dressage element (anything under a penalty score of 50 is competitive) but followed up with mistakes in the cross-country which was frustrating.
We know the area which requires improvement yet we seem to stumble from one Olympic cycle to another and nothing much changes. There needs to be a strategic plan in place to bring up the standard of dressage that will see vast improvements in our position in the team event. Obviously I am out of my depth discussing this issue but it is fair to say that progress is very slow, but as I said there are some signs that we are moving in the right direction. Ginny Elliott, the team manager of the eventing squad seems to have brought a bit of direction to the event and hope we continue to build for Rio, where we could medal if preparation is put in place. Preparation would need to begin now.

In hockey news. the Irish ladies have beaten South Africa 2-1 in their test match in South Africa. An end-to-end game with little between the sides but a penalty corner in the dying seconds was scored by Cliodhna Sargent to steal the win for the Irish. Fantastic result.

Good day for our sailors at the Sailing World Cup regatta in Miami.
In the men's keelboat star, Irish duo Peter O'Leary and David Burrows had a very solid day with two 3rd place finishes in their two races, pushing them up to 6th position in the overall standings.
In the women's laser radial, Annalise Murphy won the first race of the day and followed this up with a decent 11th place in the second race to move up to 9th position overall.
James Espey in the men's Laser class had a very good day placing 6th in the first race and 9th in the second. He remains in 19th position overall but has closed the gap between himself and those directly ahead.
Very good day for the sailors and they are on the move up the overall standings. All to play for.

Ireland's sailors continue to battle hard out in the Miami waters at the Rolex World Cup of sailing.
In the men's keelboat star, Irish duo Peter O'Leary and David Burrows finshed 7th and 6th in today's races and are now 7th overall.
Annalise Murphy had a mixed day with a 6th place and an unfortunate 27th place finish (which is the discard score so far) but remains in 9th position in the overall rankings.
James Espey had a hard day out in the water today with two 35th place finishes in the gold fleet of the men's laser. He is now in 24th place overall, a creditable display so far.
Tomorrow is the final day of fleet racing before Saturday's medal races, where the top 10 boats in each fleet will contest the decider.