Updated at 21.25
MICHAEL MCKILLOP HAS won his second gold medal, after producing a consummate performance at the Paralympics in London this evening.
The athlete triumphed in the 1500m T37 final, with a time of 4:08.11.
He finished ahead of Australia’s Brad Scott (4:14.47) and Mohamed Charmi of Tunisia (4:14.90), who took silver and bronze respectively.
Speaking following his success, McKillop said: “It was great to do a double here in London. When I heard that the 1500m would be on the programme here, I was thrilled as I didn’t have this opportunity in Beijing. It means so much to be able to do this.”
He explained how his pre-race strategy had worked perfectly.
“I had agreed with my coach that I would work steadily until 800m and increase the pace gradually to see who would come with me. Only the Australian did so I increased the pace again. The plan worked.”
Meanwhile, in a closely guarded secret, McKillop was presented with his 1500m Gold medal by his mother Catherine, who acted as ambassador from official Games sponsors P&G
The athlete had previously broken the world record in the 800m (T37) on Saturday, and also won gold in the T37 800m in Beijing at the 2008 Paralympics.
The Antrim man’s success means Ireland have now won five golds and eight medals in total at this year’s Paralympics.
Elsewhere at the Paralympics today, the Irish sailing team of Conor Twomey, Anthony Hegarty and Ian Costelloe finished Race 5 in 10th place, with the Dutch crew of Udo Hessels, Marcel van de Veen and Mischa Rossen taking top spot.
They are now 11th overall, with the Dutch leading ahead of the Australian and USA crews in joint second.
In addition, John McCarthy finished seventh in the 100m T51 final earlier this evening.
Clare and Tipp will be Some Battle in Ennis.
Waterford Limerick kk and a cracker between Clare and tipp.
Dublin hurlers haven’t been beaten in Parnell Park since March 2011. I think (and hope) they’ll take Limerick on the day.
We do have a good record there but it’s not like we play 20 home games a season in Parnell park. How many matches since 2011?
I don’t know Seán, i didn’t count. I just know we’re unbeaten there in 5 years.
Does any team play 20 home games a season in their home ground?
No but statistics can be misleading, is all I’m saying. 5 years unbeaten sounds great but a lot of our handful of home games have been played in Croke park.
Teams in sports with proper competition structures do, but that’s another conversation entirely
Fair point, I’d still fancy our chances against Limerick.
Fancy them a lot more in parnell park then in the gaelic grounds for sure!
Since 2009, they’ve played 16, won 12, drawn 3 and lost 1 at Parnell Park.
Brain dead GAA scheduling Limerick Dublin an hour after Munster Leinster kick off in the Aviva stadium. Is it wrong for fans to support two sports. Rugby has been scheduled for months now.
What are Munster and Leinster playing in exactly. I thought they were out of everything? Dead rubber match?
Up the cats
Is there something wrong with you or something, I mean in every article you type the same thing. Did you drool on the keyboard or something and only a few keys are working or what’s the craic or maybe its even crack..
Dub tipp kk n waterford
You would think they could do something , same on Sunday , clare footballers who are actually going well this year travel to newbridge to play kildare in what is potentially a winner gets promoted game followed an hour and a half later by clare tipp in ennis, the gaa amaze me sometimes
Dublin football by a distance the closest to it
I think maybe instead of tossing a coin for home venues when two teams that played the same amount of home league games that instead the 1B team gets automatic home advantage.correct me if I’m wrong but I think it’s the 2nd year in a row Dublin have got home advantage against limerick through a coin toss which seems unfair and offaly are on a hiding to nothing going to nowlan park,realistically Kilkenny would probably beat offaly comfortably no matter what the venue is Fancy kk and Waterford for comfortable wins (regrettably as a wexford supporter),hard to back against the dubs with their Parnell park record and I could see Clare and tipp going to extra time
We’ve only had two home games in the league. We’ve had to travel to nowlan park the last two years.
I think maybe instead of tossing a coin for home venues when tea
Tipp at home not Clare
Not according to the GAA’s Official Twitter: ‘CONFIRMED: Clare will host Tipperary in the #AllianzLeagues Hurling Division 1 Q-Finals (venue/date TBC by CCCC)’.
That link also says the final is on May 5th…..
I read this morning that it was on in Ennis. I guess we can t believe everything on the net!!
What link? There’s no link in the tweet I posted.
Here’s a link for you: https://twitter.com/officialgaa/status/711861952109277184