(INPHO/Giorgio Scala)
Event: Swimming
Who is she? A 24-year-old native of Holywood Co Down, who despite her youth, has already represented Ireland at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Nocher disappointed in the 200m freestyle heats in 2008, before an improved performance in the 200m backstroke meant she could go home with her head held high.
She has since completed a degree in sports science at Loughborough, a UK university renowned for its excellent sports facilities, and exceeded expectations by qualifying for London 2012.
Road to London: Nocher qualified for the Olympics in May during the European Swimming Championships in Debrecen, breaking the Irish national record in the final of the 200m backstroke in the process with a time of 2:10.75.
Her career-best performance was especially satisfying, given that many critics had previously dismissed her chances of qualifying for the event.
What she says about herself: “It’s great to be going to my second Olympics. It’s been a hard year for me – this is my last chance. I wanted to go out with a bang and I did that.”
What they’re saying on the internet: “Many of the Irish ladies are going into this Olympics with personal bests and great performances behind them. It must be a huge boost to their confidence before the games.” – James Lynch, munsterfans.com
Medal chances? Highly unlikely – Nocher herself believes she has little hope of winning a medal, and would be satisfied just to make the final. Consequently, Jimmy is being as harsh as ever:
On the Twitter: Get following @MelanieNocher. Her tweets are a mixture of informative remarks in relation to her sport (“Only 42 days left till the Olympics start hope everyone is gettin excited #roadtriptolondon”) and somewhat less relevant but no less entertaining insights (see below):
If you meet her in a bar, ask her about… Rory McIlroy. She comes from the same town as the esteemed golfer.
If she was a YouTube video, she’d be… ‘A Million Ways’ by OK Go – renowned for being cool and calm, while possessing excellent hand-eye coordination to boot.
YouTube credit: emimusic
Makes sense he’s had a few injuries this season so why use him, give him a rest and proper recovery. He’s a big part of Jose’s future plans so he’ll be raring to go next season as a result
@Johnny Bravo: how do you know he’s a big part of Jose’s future plans ?
@Johnny Bravo: o
@Johnny Bravo: or did you just make that up ?
@Alana: to much coffee today Jamie ?
@Johnny Bravo: or is your hand and fingers swollen from some other offline activity?
@Johnny Bravo: stick to making up stuff Thommo
@Alana: So I’m Thommo now lol you’re some tulip
@Johnny Bravo: where did you read he’s part of Jose’s plan for the future?
@Alana: don’t know if this helps, but I read it here. Some bloke called Johnny said so.
@Jumperoo: you must be new here, he makes a lot of stuff up here he also uses the account Thommo
@Alana: obsessed
Wrapping him in cotton wool with nothing to play for in premier league. Probably get a game before FA cup final, arrangement suits everyone good managing. Another CB, LB and a CM who can control tempo of the game(very few out there) needed to challenge man city next season.
@Eric Djemba-Djemba: why would he wrap him up in cotton wool when he had the whole summer off lol deluded
@Alana: why risk injuring your best player with nothing to play for at the end of season?
@Eric Djemba-Djemba: going by your logic Madrid will rest Ronaldo for every game bar the CL final then
@Alana: do you ever stop 20 comments on a Jose article and you took up 10 spouting absolute drivel
Great management. That will make his players warm to him even more.
So considerate of Jose
Story outta nothing again lads…..
So
Makes no sense ? Mourinho is moaning when players have too much games , no rest he moans ? Yet he is playing guys who will be playing an extra month of World Cup in nothing games ! Bizzare
Nothing strange great man management