Team Ireland launched their European Para Youth Games (EPYG) campaign with a busy and exciting Day One in Istanbul, delivering standout performances across wheelchair basketball, Para swimming, and Para table tennis.
Wheelchair Basketball
Ireland’s wheelchair basketball squad got off to a flying start, edging out France 40 – 35 in a tightly contested opening game.
Later in the day, they faced a tougher challenge against the Netherlands. Despite a valiant effort and being down 19 at half time, they on a scoreline of 45 – 59 against an excellent Dutch side.
Speaking after their second game, wheelchair basketball captain Jack Quinn said: “Initial reaction is a small bit disappointed just purely because nobody likes losing but when you peel the pages back they’re a really, really good team, well coached, one of the best coaches in the world and well drilled so losing by 14 points isn’t too big of a deal there”
Para Swimming
Both Luke Brennan and Luke O’ Donoghue started their EPYG competition today in the 100m Freestyle. Brennan finished in a time of 01:10.23 and O’ Donoghue in 01:05.46. They will both face off against each other in the 400m Freestyle tomorrow morning along with Luke Brennan swimming in the 100m Breaststroke.
Para Table Tennis
It was a challenging but rewarding day for Team Ireland’s Para table tennis contingent. Following intense group stage play, Aaron Mellows emerged as the standout, winning both of his matches convincingly to secure a spot in tomorrow’s singles semi-finals.
Kevin O’ Callaghan battled hard in his group but came away with one win from three matches, which unfortunately brings his singles campaign to a close. Sam Brennan shared a similar fate, also bowing out after a tough round of group-stage matches.
Sean Geoghegan advanced to the round of 16, showing strong form throughout, but narrowly missed out in the knockout stage in a closely contested match.
Speaking after his last match Geoghegan said “Today was challenging, tough conditions, really warm hall. A lot of kind of environmental changes from what we’re used to back home but you know we dealt with it as best we could. I was happy with how I played, the performance was good. For me you know I don’t like to set expectations I just focus on each match as it comes”
The full squad; Sam Brennan, Aaron Mellows, Sean Geoghegan, and Kevin O’Callaghan will also feature in the doubles competition, with the schedule to be confirmed.
Day Two at EPYG
A bumper Day Two awaits Team Ireland as the Para athletics squad gets underway at the Enka Athletics Track. The action begins in the morning with Damien Moyles lining up in the T13 100m, followed shortly after by Daire Macken and Aryell Sheedy, who will both compete in the T37 100m event.
In the afternoon, all eyes return to the Cebeci courts, where Ireland’s wheelchair basketball team will face off against Spain at in what promises to be another high energy contest after their Day One performances.
The Para table tennis doubles matches are also on the agenda, with scheduling to be confirmed. After a strong showing in singles, Ireland’s players will be eager to bring that same fire to the doubles stage.
For further updates, follow Paralympics Ireland on social media or visit www.paralympics.ie.
RESULTS DAY 1 – Friday 25th
Wheelchair Basketball
France v Ireland: W Ireland 40 – 35 France
Ireland v Netherlands: L Ireland 45 – 59 France
Para Swimming
Luke Brennan 100m Freestyle: 01:10.23
Luke O’ Donoghue 100m Freestyle: 01:05.46
Para Table Tennis (W = Win / L = Loss)
Kevin O’ Callaghan
- v Badie: W 3 – 0
- v Guler: L 0 – 3
- v Mangold: L 1 – 3
*Does not progress
Sam Brennan
- v Viterb: W 3 – 1
- v Muska: L 0 – 3
- v Hernburg: L 0 – 3
*Does not progress
Aaron Mellows
- v Gumus: W 4 – 1
- v Kuderski: W 3 – 0
*Progresses to semi final tomorrow. Time TBC
Sean Geoghegan
- v Ogultarkan W 3 – 0
- v Silva: L 0 – 3
- v Stafie W 3 – 0
*Does not progress
COMPETITION SCHEDULE DAY 2 – Saturday 26th (Local time, Istanbul)
9:30: Para Swimming – Luke Brennan 400m Freestyle (SW) (Cebeci Sports Complex)
9:30: Para Swimming – Luke O’ Donoghue 400m Freestyle (SW) (Cebeci Sports Complex)
11:04: Para Athletics – Damien Moyles 100m T13 (Enka Athletics Track)
11:20: Para Athletics – Daire Macken 100m T37 (Enka Athletics Track)
11:20: Para Athletics – Aryell Sheedy 100m T37 (Enka Athletics Track)
12:00: Para Swimming – Luke Brennan 100m Breaststroke (Cebeci Sports Complex)
15:45: Wheelchair Basketball Spain v Ireland (Cebeci Sports Complex)
*Para table tennis doubles schedule TBC
COMPETITION SCHEDULE DAY 3 – Sunday 27th
9:30: Para Swimming – Luke O’ Donoghue 100m Backstroke (Cebeci Sports Complex)
9:30: Para Swimming – Luke Brennan 50m Freestyle (Cebeci Sports Complex)
11:15: Wheelchair Basketball Ireland v Italy (Cebeci Sports Complex)
12:00: Para Swimming – Luke O’ Donoghue 100m Butterfly (Cebeci Sports Complex)
12:00 Para Swimming – Luke Brennan 200m IM (Cebeci Sports Complex)
15:45: Wheelchair Basketball Ireland v Portugal (Cebeci Sports Complex)
16:30: Para Athletics – Daire Macken 800m (Enka Athletics Track)
16:30: Para Athletics – Aryell Sheedy 800m (Enka Athletics Track)
20:00: Closing Ceremony (Cebeci Sports Complex)
