He did try represent the UK in the Olympics in fairness
Stats show that at these Games there are 31 Northern Irish athletes, but only seven of these have opted for Team GB.
GB would be harder to get into obviously, but even logistically it might be a nuisance....the athlete would probably have to base themselves in Britain for training and competitions, whereas those on Team Ireland can presumably stay living in NI.
Fleetwood I'd say, Casey ranked higher.
He's in with a great shout. Based on recent form (since 2018), he's one of the top two or three pommel horse guys in the world and might even be the best of them. If he performs well, it will be hard to keep him off that podium.
I think I heard said 31 from N.Ireland competing, 25 for Ireland and 6 for GB.
Well thanks, then I assume Paul Casey owes his presence in the event to Rory's decision. It would be ironic if they ended up in a playoff for a medal.
It is Team GB and Northern Ireland. They can choose either. However most countries including the UK leave off the Northern Ireland bit when reporting it most of the time. Athletes from the North are involved in the GB team. I know of at least one in archery who would not have a reason to compete for GB if it was just GB. I suspect it largely comes from their background a bit and I suspect partially from their sport. If you need UK funding to be able to pursue your sporting dreams then I can't blame someone from going that route even if they feel more Irish than UK.
Folks, I am asking this simply because as a foreign resident I have no clue ... what is the Olympic status of residents of Northern Ireland? Can they choose to compete under either nation's flag, or are they only eligible to compete for Ireland? Watching the Olympics from Canada, we only ever hear "Great Britain" as the name of the UK team, so I just wasn't sure how this works.
And good luck Shane and Rory. Watching the golf now, it seems wide open for the medals especially if Schauffele and Matsuyama happened to have so-so performances.
Great clear round by Austin O'Connor in the cross country.
I mean he still earned the bronze and intelligence is definitely not a requirement for a medal.
He will be a good and bad lesson. He moved brilliantly in the ring and boxed well.
It was a combination of of sillyness and bad luck. Yes he would probably have gotten away with those jumps but he seemed to be going for as much height as possible on them. Reminds me of Robbie Keane though I think he got away with his but it was definitely a point of contention at the time in case he hurt himself. Honestly Aidan did it once and with a boxing ring for a landing it would make his far more safe. However you are in the biggest competition of your life and he may or may not make another. Don't risk it, keep yourself in bubble wrap outside of training/ competing to stop yourself getting unlucky. At least it was before a match he would likely have lost anyway, you would prefer to make someone beat you but probably doesn't change our medals.
Because none of the others have made such a public show of their disdain for the competition and seem genuinely enthused to represent their country. It's not rocket science, bucko.
I don't think scores from qualifying round carry forward so all 8 have a clean slate. Definitely one of the 3 favs going into it.
Can Rhys McClenaghan win gold? Know nothing about gymnastics but he's second overall heading into the final, which is promising.
Ah now stripped is a bit much, I'd say he's awfully embarrassed alright. How many fellas have jumped in the air and done damage on landing. Awful unlucky.
So 1 gold and 2 bronze as things stand.
ALWAYS? First time in 10 years. Skipped world cups of 2013, 2016,2018 and 2016 Olympics.
I do fancy Kurt Walker to get through though. Looking at the two fights tonight, I thought he had the better chance to progress - he's very experienced and a former European champion.
Simple lad. He should be stripped of bronze for such stupidity
Guess it made sense to underplay it in case it went ahead. Don't want his opponent too confident. More pressure on the other 2 boxers left.
Yes, landed very awkwardly on his ankle.
Hugely disappointing for the lad (having said that, McCormack would have been a tough customer and the strong favourite to win).
Did I read it happened during celebrations after last win. Awful way to end, if so.
Damn....Aidan Walsh is out of the Games and can't box tonight :(
His ankle injury must have been much worse than was reported.
Kellie is the favorite similar to the rowers be disappointing if she doesn't get gold imo.
We could win three medals tomorrow. All three could be from the North. Why not throw similar digs at Rhys or Kurt? Rory has ALWAYS represented Ireland in golf. At a World Cup he even had to raise the tricolour. Cop on to yourself
Kellie maybe, 1 out of the other 3 and we'd be doing well.
Leona Maguire will medal. Show jumpers will finally come good and win Gold. Natalya Coyle will get bronze. Kellie will take Gold. Great week ahead.
This will be her 3rd appearance in the modern pentathlon, 9th and 6th in her previous appearances. No Arthur Lanigan O'Keeffe this time round due to injury.
Of course I forget they can't just go out and box every day.
Yes, the boxing tournament lasts the entire Games in fact, as there are so many fights : some boxers have to fight five times to win a gold medal and therefore need a good few recovery days.
Didn't realise the boxing goes so late into the games.
Also had no clue we had someone in the pentathlon
Still to come are:
A good chunk of our athletics team - hopefully get another couple of finals/top 10s but realistically no medals for us there.
Our three remaining boxers - although worst case scenario two could be out by tomorrow morning. Kellie Harrington fights for a medal on Tuesday and is likely to be the big Irish story of the second week.
McClenaghan in the pommel horse final tomorrow, that's the end of his Olympics either way.
The two mens golfers finishing tomorrow. Then the two female golfers next week - Leona Maguire coming in to this in good form.
Eventers finishing in the next day or so, then the showjumping team and individual events next week.
There's also Natalya Coyle in the Modern Pentathlon, the two divers and we have four track cyclists.
Think that's about our lot form here. Tomorrow is massive but then quieter after that.
I'd say our most likely final medal total is whatever we have by this time tomorrow, plus one.
