Irish in action today

The irish contenders in action today

9.30am: Rowing

It’s not the race she wanted to be in, but Sanita Puspure contests the C/D semi-final at Eton Dorney. There’s little more than pride at stake but the single sculler will still want to finish as high as possible.

10am: Swimming

Barry Murphy, who left the pool disappointed after his opening swim last Saturday, rounds off his campaign in the 50m freestyle. Posting a personal best will be an achievement.

11.30am: Swimming

Having limbered up in the 100m backstroke earlier in the week, Melanie Nocher (24) goes in her favoured 200m backstroke this morning. She might represent Ireland’s last hope in the pool after Gráinne Murphy pulled out of this morning’s 800m freestyle heats.

From noon: Sailing

Having taken a back seat so far this week, the men’s 470 duo of Scott Flanigan and Ger Owens get their regatta started at midday. The surprise package of the sailing team are out at midday and back on the water at Weymouth at 1.30pm.

After slipping to ninth following some average results yesterday, Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern can ill afford any more slip-ups as their series of races reaches the midway point. Race seven is under way at noon, with the eighth race due off at 12.45pm.

With just four races to go, David Burrows and Peter O’Leary need to climb the leaderboard if they hope to challenge for a medal on Sunday. The Cork sailors have their seventh (12.05pm) and eighth (1.20pm) races this afternoon.

1.25pm: Equestrian

Anna Merveldt, Ireland’s only competitor in the individual dressage, will put Coryolano through its paces this afternoon. Merveldt (49), is no stranger to the big occasion – she reached an Olympic final in 1992. She needs to finish in the top 11 to guarantee a place in the Grand Prix Special.

1.30pm: Canoeing

If she was in any doubt just how fine the margins between success and failure are, Hannah Craig need look no further than Eoin Rheinisch yesterday. Craig will have to be at her very best to advance to the final later today.

2.45pm: Boxing

Irish team captain Darren O’Neill finds Germany’s Stefan Hartel blocking his path to a place in the quarter-finals. Hartel may be ranked 30 places lower than the Kilkenny middleweight but was impressive in the first round.