Ireland at the 2012 Summer Olympics

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Ireland at the
2012 Summer Olympics
IOC codeIRL
NOCOlympic Federation of Ireland
Websiteolympics.ie
in London
Competitors66 in 14 sports
Flag bearers Katie Taylor (opening)
Darren O'Neill (closing)
Medals
Ranked 41st
Gold
1
Silver
1
Bronze
4
Total
6
Summer Olympics appearances (overview)
Other related appearances
 Great Britain (1896–1920)

Ireland competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom, from July 27 to August 12, 2012. This was the nation's twentieth appearance at the Summer Olympics.

The Olympic Council of Ireland sent a total of 66 athletes to the Games, 36 men and 30 women, to compete in 14 sports. The International Olympic Committee allowed athletes from Northern Ireland the option to compete at the Olympic Games for either Great Britain or Ireland. Medallists Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan were both born in Belfast, Northern Ireland and chose to compete for Team Ireland. Ireland had only a single competitor in the sprint canoeing, track cycling, equestrian dressage, judo, rowing and shooting events.

This was Ireland's most successful Olympics, winning a total of 6 medals (1 gold, 1 silver and 4 bronze) in three sports: boxing, athletics and equestrian show jumping. Boxer Katie Taylor, who was Ireland's flag bearer at the opening ceremony, won Ireland's first Olympic gold medal in 16 years. Light flyweight boxer Paddy Barnes defended his bronze medal from Beijing, becoming the second Irish athlete in 80 years to win medals at two consecutive Olympics.[1][2] For the first time since 1980, Ireland also won an Olympic medal in more than a single sport.

Medallists[edit]

International media coverage[edit]

Katie Taylor's Olympic boxing success led to inaccurate coverage in the international media. While previewing her semi-final bout, The Daily Telegraph, a conservative English newspaper, incorrectly referred to Taylor as "British", prompting fierce criticism from other media outlets, and an apology from the Telegraph.[5][6][7] Fairfax Media of Australia also issued an apology, after articles published in The Age, Brisbane Times and The Sydney Morning Herald were widely condemned as "lazy stereotyping" of the Irish. Irish Ambassador to Australia Noel White issued a formal complaint about the article's reliance on Guinness, whiskey and potatoes to make a story.[5] USA Today was criticised after its article said: "Back home on the emerald-green isle, pints of Guinness flowed freely, perhaps enough to replenish the Irish Sea. The "punters" inside betting parlors [sic] wagered pounds [sic] as if they were bits of candy. It is not hyperbole to suggest that, when Taylor entered the ring, the weight of a prideful, scuffling nation rested on her muscular shoulders."[5] Also, Australian commentator Russell Barwick provoked "fury"[8] while on ESPN, comparing Team Ireland's independence from Team GB to Tasmanian athletes not performing for Australia.[8]

Athletics[edit]

Main article: Athletics at the 2012 Summer Olympics

The Irish team selection caused a number of controversies. In the women's marathon Linda Byrne, Ava Hutchinson and Caitriona Jennings were selected while Maria McCambridge, who had also run the 'A' qualifying standard missed out on selection, as only three athletes from a nation may compete in the event. Additionally the deadline for qualification for the marathon had been changed to allow Barbara Sanchez, who holds dual Irish and French citizenship, a chance to qualify.[9] The team for the women's 4 × 400 metres relay was changed after Joanna Mills won an appeal of her exclusion on the grounds of having a faster time than Catriona Cuddihy who had initially been selected.[10]

Irish athletes achieved qualifying standards in the following athletics events (up to a maximum of 3 athletes in each event at the 'A' Standard, and 1 at the 'B' Standard):[11][12] [13]

Key
  • Note–Ranks given for track events are within the athlete's heat only
  • Q = Qualified for the next round
  • q = Qualified for the next round as a fastest loser or, in field events, by position without achieving the qualifying target
  • NR = National record
  • N/A = Round not applicable for the event
  • Bye = Athlete not required to compete in round
Mark Kenneally in men's marathon
Men
Track & road events
Athlete Event Heat Semifinal Final
Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank
Paul Hession 200 m 20.69 5 Did not advance
Ciarán O'Lionaird 1500 m 3:48.35 13 — Did not advance
Alistair Cragg 5000 m 13:47.01 17 — Did not advance
Mark Kenneally Marathon — 2:21:13 57
Robert Heffernan 20 km walk — 1:20:18 9
Brendan Boyce 50 km walk — 3:55:01 29
Colin Griffin — DSQ
Robert Heffernan — 3:37:54 NR 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
Women
Track & road events
Athlete Event Heat Semifinal Final
Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank
Joanne Cuddihy 400 m 52.09 4 q 51.88 5 Did not advance
Fionnuala Britton 5000 m 15:12.97 10 — Did not advance
10000 m — 31:46.71 15
Derval O'Rourke 100 m hurdles 12.91 4 q 12.91 5 Did not advance
Stephanie Reilly 3000 m steeplechase 9:44.77 9 — Did not advance
Jessie Barr
Claire Bergin
Michelle Carey
Catriona Cuddihy
Joanne Cuddihy
Marian Heffernan 		4 × 400 m relay 3:30.55 6 — Did not advance
Linda Byrne Marathon — 2:37:13 66
Ava Hutchinson — 2:37:17 68
Caitriona Jennings — 3:22:11 107
Olive Loughnane 20 km walk — 1:29:39 13
Laura Reynolds — 1:31:02 20
Field events
Athlete Event Qualification Final
Distance Position Distance Position
Tori Pena Pole vault NM — Did not advance
Deirdre Ryan[14] High jump 1.85 27 Did not advance

Badminton[edit]

Main article: Badminton at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Ireland qualified two badminton players for the Games. Scott Evans competed in the men's singles and Chloe Magee in the women's singles.; each made their second appearance at an Olympic Games.[15]

Athlete Event Group stage Elimination Quarterfinal Semifinal Final / BM
Opposition
Score 		Opposition
Score 		Rank Opposition
Score 		Opposition
Score 		Opposition
Score 		Opposition
Score 		Rank
Scott Evans Men's singles  Lin D (CHN)
L 8–21 14–21 		— 2 Did not advance
Chloe Magee Women's singles  Hosny (EGY)
W 21–17 21–6 		 Pi (FRA)
L 21–16 18–21 14–21 		2 Did not advance

Boxing[edit]

Main article: Boxing at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Ireland qualified boxers for the following events.

Boxer Katie Taylor wins Ireland's first gold in 16 years
Men
Athlete Event Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Rank
Paddy Barnes Light flyweight Bye  Essomba (CMR)
W 15–10 		 Singh (IND)
W 23–18 		 Zou (CHN)
L 15–15+ 		Did not advance 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
Michael Conlan Flyweight Bye  Micah (GHA)
W 19–8 		 Oubaali (FRA)
W 22–18 		 Ramírez (CUB)
L 10–20 		Did not advance 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
John Joe Nevin Bantamweight  Ceylan (DEN)
W 21–6 		 Abutalipov (KAZ)
W 15–10 		 Valdez (MEX)
W 19–13 		 Álvarez (CUB)
W 19–14 		 Campbell (GBR)
L 11–14 		2nd place, silver medalist(s)
Adam Nolan Welterweight  Sánchez (ECU)
W 14–8 		 Zamkovoy (RUS)
L 9–18 		Did not advance
Darren O'Neill Middleweight  Akanji (NGR)
W 15–6 		 Hartel (GER)
L 12–19 		Did not advance
Women
Athlete Event Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Rank
Katie Taylor Lightweight Bye  Jonas (GBR)
W 26–15 		 Chorieva (TJK)
W 17–9 		 Ochigava (RUS)
W 10–8 		1st place, gold medalist(s)

Canoeing[edit]

Main article: Canoeing at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Slalom[edit]

Ireland qualified boats for the following events.

Athlete Event Preliminary Semifinal Final
Run 1 Rank Run 2 Rank Total Rank Time Rank Time Rank
Eoin Rheinisch Men's K-1 89.97 6 90.72 11 89.97 12 Q 153.98 14 Did not advance
Hannah Craig Women's K-1 117.07 14 108.99 11 108.99 14 Q 116.12 10 Q 127.36 9

Sprint[edit]

Ireland qualified boats for the following events.

Athlete Event Heats Semifinals Final
Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank
Andrzej Jezierski Men's C-1 200 m 41.404 2 Q 42.012 4 FB 44.041 9

Qualification Legend: FA = Qualify to final (medal); FB = Qualify to final B (non-medal)

Cycling[edit]

Main article: Cycling at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Road[edit]

Athlete Event Time Rank
Dan Martin Men's road race 5:46:37 90
David McCann Men's road race 5:46:37 55
Men's time trial 56:03.77 27
Nicolas Roche Men's road race 5:46:37 89

Track[edit]

Omnium
Athlete Event Flying lap Points race Elimination race Individual pursuit Scratch race Time trial Total points Rank
Time Rank Points Rank Rank Time Rank Rank Time Rank
Martyn Irvine Men's omnium 13.504 9 47 6 15 4:32:948 14 9 1:04:558 11 64 13

Equestrian[edit]

Main article: Equestrian at the 2012 Summer Olympics

By rankings Ireland qualified one athlete in dressage, an eventing team and two athletes in jumping.

Dressage[edit]

Athlete Horse Event Grand Prix Grand Prix Special Grand Prix Freestyle Overall
Score Rank Score Rank Technical Artistic Score Rank
Anna Merveldt Coryolano Individual 69.772 33 Did not advance

Eventing[edit]

Athlete Horse Event Dressage Cross-country Jumping Total
Qualifier Final
Penalties Rank Penalties Total Rank Penalties Total Rank Penalties Total Rank Penalties Rank
Aoife Clark Master Crusoe Individual 48.90 32 3.60 52.50 21 0.00 52.50 12 0.00 52.50 7 52.50 7
Mark Kyle Coolio 58.70 61 7.20 65.90 35 6.00 71.90 32 4.00 75.90 21 75.90 21
Joseph Murphy Electric Cruise 55.60 53 1.80 60.40 29 0.00 60.40 24 0.00 60.40 14 60.40 14
Michael Ryan Ballylynch Adventure 60.20 64 Eliminated Did not advance
Camilla Speirs Portersize Just A Jiff 47.60 27 Eliminated Did not advance
Aoife Clark
Mark Kyle
Joseph Murphy
Michael Ryan
Camilla Speirs 		See above Team 152.10 10 36.70 178.80 7 6.00 184.80 5 — 184.80 5

Show jumping[edit]

Athlete Horse Event Qualification Final Total
Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round A Round B
Penalties Rank Penalties Total Rank Penalties Total Rank Penalties Rank Penalties Total Rank Penalties Rank
Cian O'Connor Blue Loyd Individual 0 1 Q 8 8 31 Q 12 20 38 Q 0 1 Q 1 1 2 JO 1 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
Billy Twomey Tinka 4 42 Q 8 12 56 Did not advance

Gymnastics[edit]

Main article: Gymnastics at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Ireland qualified a single gymnast for London; Kieran Behan, just the second Irish gymnast in history to qualify for the Olympics, competed in the artistic gymnastics discipline.[16]

Artistic[edit]

Men
Athlete Event Qualification Final
Apparatus Total Rank Apparatus Total Rank
F PH R V PB HB F PH R V PB HB
Kieran Behan Floor 13.966 — 13.966 53 Did not advance

Judo[edit]

Main article: Judo at the 2012 Summer Olympics
Athlete Event Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Repechage Final / BM
Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Rank
Lisa Kearney Women's −48 kg Bye  Wu Sg (CHN)
L 0012–1011 		Did not advance

Modern pentathlon[edit]

Main article: Modern pentathlon at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Ireland qualified 2 athletes.

Athlete Event Fencing
(épée one touch) 		Swimming
(200 m freestyle) 		Riding
(show jumping) 		Combined: shooting/running
(10 m air pistol)/(3000 m) 		Total points Final rank
Results Rank MP points Time Rank MP points Penalties Rank MP points Time Rank MP points
Arthur Lanigan-O'Keeffe Men's 14–21 29 736 2:02.44 9 1332 80 20 1120 11:08.69 26 2328 5516 25
Natalya Coyle Women's 19–16 11 856 2:19.17 20 1132 40 5 1160 12:12.45 13 2072 5220 9

Rowing[edit]

Main article: Rowing at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Ireland qualified the following boats.

Women
Athlete Event Heats Repechage Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank
Sanita Pušpure Single sculls 7:49:35 3 QF Bye 7:44:19 4 SC/D 7:51.69 1 FC 7:59.77 13

Qualification Legend: FA=Final A (medal); FB=Final B (non-medal); FC=Final C (non-medal); FD=Final D (non-medal); FE=Final E (non-medal); FF=Final F (non-medal); SA/B=Semifinals A/B; SC/D=Semifinals C/D; SE/F=Semifinals E/F; QF=Quarterfinals; R=Repechage

Sailing[edit]

Main article: Sailing at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Ireland qualified 1 boat for each of the following events.

Men
Athlete Event Race Net points Final rank
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 5 M*
James Espey Laser 38 44 39 36 46 42 27 27 25 35 EL 313 36
Scott Flanigan
Ger Owens 		470 16 25 24 25 15 22 25 27 16 5 EL 173 23
David Burrows
Peter O'Leary 		Star 2 6 14 5 11 12 9 7 11 7 20 95 10
Women
Athlete Event Race Net points Final rank
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 M*
Annalise Murphy Laser Radial 1 1 1 1 8 19 2 10 3 7 5 44 4
Open
Athlete Event Race Net points Final rank
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 M*
Matt McGovern
Ryan Seaton 		49er 4 8 15 2 12 19 11 9 14 7 15 7 13 16 16 EL 149 14

M = Medal race; EL = Eliminated – did not advance into the medal race;

Shooting[edit]

Main article: Shooting at the 2012 Summer Olympics
Men
Athlete Event Qualification Final
Points Rank Points Rank
Derek Burnett Trap 116 27 did not advance

Swimming[edit]

Main article: Swimming at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Irish swimmers achieved qualifying standards in the following events (up to a maximum of 2 swimmers in each event at the Olympic Qualifying Time (OQT), and 1 at the Olympic Selection Time (OST)):[17][18]

Men
Athlete Event Heat Semifinal Final
Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank
Barry Murphy 50 m freestyle 22.76 29 Did not advance
100 m breaststroke 1:01.57 29 Did not advance

Qualifiers for the latter rounds (Q) of all events were decided on a time only basis, therefore positions shown are overall results versus competitors in all heats.

Women
Athlete Event Heat Semifinal Final
Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank
Sycerika McMahon 100 m breaststroke 1:08.80 26 Did not advance
200 m individual medley 2:14.76 22 Did not advance
Gráinne Murphy 200 m freestyle DNS Did not advance
400 m freestyle 4:19.07 31 — Did not advance
800 m freestyle DNS — Did not advance
400 m individual medley DNS — Did not advance
Melanie Nocher 100 m backstroke 1:02.44 33 Did not advance
200 m backstroke 2:16.29 34 Did not advance

Qualifiers for the latter rounds (Q) of all events were decided on a time only basis, therefore positions shown are overall results versus competitors in all heats.

Triathlon[edit]

Main article: Triathlon at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Ireland qualified the following athletes.

Athlete Event Swim (1.5 km) Trans 1 Bike (40 km) Trans 2 Run (10 km) Total Time Rank
Gavin Noble Men's 17:24 18:01 58:50 1:17:21 32:26 1:49:47 23
Aileen Morrison Women's 19:36 20:17 1:31:16 1:31:52 38:08 2:08:16 43

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Belfast's Olympic boxers in open-top bus welcome". BBC News. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  2. ^ "Katie Taylor wins Olympic gold for Ireland". BBC News. 9 August 2012. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  3. ^ "Katie Taylor wins Olympic gold medal". RTÉ News. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 9 August 2012. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  4. ^ "Cian O'Connor wins Olympic bronze in showjumping, Katie Taylor seals place in final". RTÉ News. Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 8 August 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  5. ^ a b c Farrelly, Brendan (8 August 2012). "Sorry for calling Katie Taylor British after Twitter storm". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  6. ^ Greenslade, Roy (8 August 2012). "Telegraph takes it on the nose after calling Irish boxer British". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  7. ^ "The Daily Telegraph thinks Katie Taylor is British: Should you tell them, or will we?". The Journal. 8 August 2012. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  8. ^ a b Kelleher, Lynne (9 August 2012). "'Ireland a joke for not joining Team GB' – pundit sparks fury". Irish Independent. Independent News & Media. Archived from the original on 17 February 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2012.
  9. ^ "Jennings for London Olympics". Donegal Democrat. 22 May 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2012.
  10. ^ "Dropped Catriona Cuddihy to make Olympic relay appeal". BBC Sport. 9 July 2012. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  11. ^ "iaaf.org – Top Lists". IAAF. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  12. ^ IAAF Games of the XXX Olympiad – London 2012 ENTRY STANDARDS (PDF), IAAF, archived from the original (PDF) on 28 April 2011, retrieved 4 June 2011
  13. ^ Irish Examiner list of Olympic qualifiers
  14. ^ "O'Lionaird, Ryan & Cragg into finals". RTÉ News. 1 September 2011. Archived from the original on 11 October 2011.
  15. ^ Naughton, Lindie (16 June 2012). "Badminton aces Magee and Evans set for Olympics". Evening Herald. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  16. ^ Natalie Miller; Ollie Williams (16 March 2012). "London 2012: Who are Ireland's Olympic hopes?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  17. ^ "Swimming World Rankings". FINA. Archived from the original on 6 January 2011. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  18. ^ FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE DE NATATION – Swimming (PDF), FINA, archived from the original (PDF) on 26 July 2011, retrieved 6 September 2011
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