Team Ireland Daily Diary at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games

[duineeile 5]

2 hours ago, Oldira said:

Our performance in boxing is not hard to explain. All boxers except Moorehouse were simply beaten by a better fighter on the day. I’d have expected Gráinne Walsh to have beaten the Hungarian before the fight but she fought poorly. Aoife O’Rourke wasn’t robbed as she fought terribly on the day and in no way looked an medalist. The rest can have no arguments about their losses. Qualifying 10 was a great achievement but most people I know expected at most 2 and maybe on a good day 3 medals. The class is just not there. I’d be telling the three Walsh’s, O’Rourke, Lehane and Clancy that LA is not in their plans. 

I would say that's quite harsh. The boxing performance has been a disaster but in mitigation Moorehouse was absolutely robbed and while O'Rourke didn't box well, it could easily have went her way and her opponent realistically should have had another point deduction. Jude Gallagher didn't get much slack from the judges against Paalam. And I genuinely felt, while he didn't perform particularly well, that Dean Clancy should have got the nod. I felt he clearly won the last round but one of the 3 judges who had it level gave it against him and that was the difference.

 

You could also make the argument that Aidan Walsh should have been awarded the 2nd round against his French opponent, which would have completely changed the complexion of the fight, although his low output style does tend to get him in all sorts of bother with referees and judges. Jack Marley is young for a heavyweight and can hold his head high getting to a quarter final and losing to the Asian Games champion on a split devision.

 

Michaela Walsh was poor today but I felt she was past her best already and wasn't expecting a lot. I expected a lot more from Gráinne Walsh alright and she definitely didn't perform her best, but I wouldn't totally write her off yet, she came through the toughest division to qualify out of Ireland. Jenny Lehane did extremely well to qualify after coming late to the sport but may not have what it takes at the very top level.

 

Aidan Walsh is an Olympic medallist, Aoife O'Rourke a 4x European Champion and Grainne Walsh a European Games medallist, so while I absolutely share your disappointment at our boxing performance in Paris, I think to dismiss athletes of that calibre that may be a little bit reactionary on your part. 

[duineeile 5]

I will add though, that perhaps some changes in the corner could be needed going forward. I had heard before about how they had never been using as much video analysis in sizing up opponents pre-fight, yet a number of Irish fighters this Games seemed to get things very wrong tactically. And a number just didn't perform to their ability, whereas in previous Games, especially when Billy Walsh was in the setup, we seemed to get the maximum possible out of every boxer regardless of their potential level, and when they lost it was to a better fighter. 

[Oldira 88]

18 minutes ago, duineeile said:

I would say that's quite harsh. The boxing performance has been a disaster but in mitigation Moorehouse was absolutely robbed and while O'Rourke didn't box well, it could easily have went her way and her opponent realistically should have had another point deduction. Jude Gallagher didn't get much slack from the judges against Paalam. And I genuinely felt, while he didn't perform particularly well, that Dean Clancy should have got the nod. I felt he clearly won the last round but one of the 3 judges who had it level gave it against him and that was the difference.

 

You could also make the argument that Aidan Walsh should have been awarded the 2nd round against his French opponent, which would have completely changed the complexion of the fight, although his low output style does tend to get him in all sorts of bother with referees and judges. Jack Marley is young for a heavyweight and can hold his head high getting to a quarter final and losing to the Asian Games champion on a split devision.

 

Michaela Walsh was poor today but I felt she was past her best already and wasn't expecting a lot. I expected a lot more from Gráinne Walsh alright and she definitely didn't perform her best, but I wouldn't totally write her off yet, she came through the toughest division to qualify out of Ireland. Jenny Lehane did extremely well to qualify after coming late to the sport but may not have what it takes at the very top level.

 

Aidan Walsh is an Olympic medallist, Aoife O'Rourke a 4x European Champion and Grainne Walsh a European Games medallist, so while I absolutely share your disappointment at our boxing performance in Paris, I think to dismiss athletes of that calibre that may be a little bit reactionary on your part. 

I’m not dismissing them but LA is 4 years away and I am not sure the boxers I mentioned will be around then

[Cosmo Kramer 24]

 

 

https://www.thetimes.com/article/ba70b93d-3f46-4e6b-ac7f-99abcaf28149?shareToken=2733d21dac98aa3a6e5743a6d26ef645

 

The Moorhouse situation all starting to make sense now. More to come I'm sure. The French guaranteed a set number of medals before the games I suspect.

[Cosmo Kramer 24]

I couldn't even watch it, listened to the commentary out on the stairs with the door open.

 

That man is a hero. 

 

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[Cosmo Kramer 24]

Officially our Best. Olympics. Ever!

[OlympicIRL 5,720]

GOOOOOOOLLLLLDDDDDD!!!!!! Rhys did it! What a routine that was, what a final!!   

[duineeile 5]

Incredible, had to nearly force myself to stay watch it. And to come out on top in such a high standard final as well, amazing stuff!

 

Word for Ben Healy as well, brilliant performance in the road race, great to see an Irishman out front giving it a real go, finished 10th but arguably deserved better 

[dodge 1,040]

My favourite ever Irish medal. After Tokyo, to come back and give the performance of his life! Just incredible 

[OlympicIRL 5,720]

Enjoy it lads.
We’ve had so many tough days across this cycle and many before. Finally we can celebrate some magnificent results and have some great moments to re-live over and over again for years to come! I am going to watch Rhys’ gold dozens of times in the next years to get me through the cold winter nights!