MEMBERS of the Irish Paralympic panels will travel to Beijing on Thursday for 10 days of acclimatisation and familiarisation in advance of next year’s Paralympic Games.

Dunmanway native John McCarthy crowned an excellent night for Ireland's Paralympic team in Athens, as he finished second in a F32/51 discus final - claiming the nation's second silver medal in two hours.

Bray teenager Gary Messett has been chosen as Ireland's flag-bearer for Friday's opening ceremony of the twelfth Paralympic Games in Athens.