Updated at 21.31
HISTORY WAS MADE today as Ireland’s Arthur Lanigan-O’Keeffe won a gold medal at European Modern Pentathlon Championships in Bath, England.
O’Keeffe becomes the first-ever Irish pentathlete to win gold and secured his place at the Rio 2016 Olympics in the process.
The Irish athlete’s swim time of 2:02.49 had put him in seventh place ahead of the fencing round, before 23 wins and just 12 defeats saw him jump to second overall.
Despite five points being deducted for time-delay, he had similar success in the showjumping event thereafter.
Going into the run/shoot event, O’Keeffe held a 20-second lead over Britain’s James Cooke, and ultimately managed to finish the competition 16 seconds ahead of France’s Valentin Prades, and Italy’s Riccardo de Luca.
Of his achievement, a jubilant O’Keffe said: “It basically means the world to me, our whole season has been focused on peaking at this one moment and we peaked at it so it gives me great confidence going into Rio. I’ve now qualified for the Olympics, I’m the European champion, it’s pretty much up there with the top days of my life. I am so delighted, it’s amazing.”
High Performance Director, Andy Mackenzie, added: “It shows the work that Arthur’s been doing over the years. He’s allowed this to happen, he’s had this in him for ages but he’s come of age today, which is great. For the High Performance programme, again it justifies everything we are doing and hopefully it will help our funding too.”
Irish interest in the competition continues tomorrow, with Olympic qualification again up for grabs, as Natalya Coyle competes in the women’s final.
This bloody argument goes on every year and it’s become tiresome as obviously people have opposite opinions but in the end, who cares? The one thing I would say though is that people, especially players, should have the right to choose NOT to wear it without fear of being targeted by the UK media like James McClean was a few years ago. Whatever happened to “it’s a free country”?
@Sloop John G: ( A few years ago ?) He is still vilified and booed at very game. He is a very strong character.
@GARFARKLE: absolutely. I personally think it should be a player’s choice to have it sewn on rather than have it be a big deal if a player doesn’t want to wear one.
I find the whole poppy thing every year part of UK’s propaganda at this stage. Shouldn’t have a place in sport
Albam agus Breatain Beag…. Cé hiad?!
Scotland and Wales…. Who are they?!
@TheJournalAsGaeilge: and so they should. A fantastic mark of respect to brave men who sacrificed their lives for others in the face tyranny and evil!
@Marcodub: and what about all of the others who helped spread evil & tyranny in the name of kindg/queen & country ? The poppy celebrates them too you know & they were the great majority
@Marcodub: tá tú ag caint caca. Bhí na dhá taobhanna olc. Rinneamar an rud ceart. Ag gardáil an síocháin sa tír seo. Seafóid.
You’re talking absolute rubbish. Both were as evil as each other. We did the right thing. Protected the peace here. Senseless murder.
@TheJournalAsGaeilge: so England have requested to wear a symbol against the country in which the symbol glorifies wars against that country. Talk about rubbing it their noses
@Rons: ye is dócha..
I suppose…
They should be banned from the World Cup and other major tournaments for even attempting to wear this, the poppy fascism has gone on long enough.
If passed it should not be held against any player not wanting to wear it if he so wishes ? Many a house hold in Ireland had kids who died in both world wars in poor and difficult times in the world . Let the world go forward in peace , this can only happen in the hearts of all .
@Tricksy: well said
@Tricksy: do Celtic players wear Poppy’s?
And so they should!
@ARZE BANDITO: Gall
@TheJournalAsGaeilge: ceard atà mì cheart leat? Nì thigim an focal “gall”
@ARZE BANDITO: http://www.focloir.ie
Sin seirbhís aistrigh togha.
@ARZE BANDITO: They can ask but the request should be well and truly DENIED.
@TheJournalAsGaeilge:gall nìor chuala mè fein a riamh è fries In?. ach ceapaim go beidir an aistruchàin cèanna nà muineal /( the neck of him or the cheek ) ?
@Patrick Dara Kelly: west Brit
@TheJournalAsGaeilge: do you realise people only laugh when that insult is used. All it shows is that the person using it belongs back in those dark ages with everything else.
@Mick Power: mícheart, nílim ach ag insint an fhírinne.
WRONG! I only tell it like it is…
@Mick Power: agus tá an focal sin in Amhrán na bhFiann. Is cuma linn!
And it’s in the national anthem. We don’t care! It’s the truth!
@TheJournalAsGaeilge: come on now. Ní chiallaíonn ‘gall’ WestBrit. Is é ‘gall’ an Gaeilge ar ‘foreigner’.
Ná bí ag aistriú an teanga i gcóir do chuid dearcaí féin. Ní dhéanann an saghas sin ruda mórán chun an teanga a spreagadh.
Ireland should look forward to a refund of their fine for 1916, if this is allowed.
Fcuk the Queen
@O’Brien Michael: I’d rather not thanks
@Cian Nolan: hehehehehe
McClean haters are coming
Here we go