Paralympics: Silver lining for Malone

David Malone narrowly missed out on adding to his Sydney gold medal in the S8 100m backstroke final this afternoon in Athens, settling in the end for silver - and Ireland's second medal at the 2004 games.

The Ballinteer swimmer, who turned 27 last week, hit the turn in 34.05 seconds, three-hundredths ahead of his main challenger Travis Mohr of the United States.

But two-time Paralympian Mohr, 23, overhauled the Irishman in the closing stages to win in a time of 1:10.15, 2.40 seconds clear of the field.

Malone, who set the current world record (1:09.28) at the 1998 World Championships in New Zealand, came home in 1:12.55.

Croatian Mihovil Spanja took bronze in 1:13.49.

Clare athlete Derek Malone gained Ireland's first medal on Monday night, running to bronze in the T38 800m.