Surprise silver for McCarthy

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.

Following 17-year-old Mayo sprinter Conal McNamara's heroics in the T13 400 metres, McCarthy, who suffers from a spinal injury, broke his personal best by nearly a metre to net a surprise medal and new Irish record.

The Corkman, whose previous best was 8.77 metres, threw 9.74 in the third round tonight to finish on 1078 points - only five behind Czech gold medallist Radim Beles (9.77).

"I'm absolutely delighted," said the 30-year-old Transport Co-ordinator. "There are better athletes in the field and this is such a surprise.

"The competition went brilliant. I threw a lot further than I was expecting and had a new personal best and with that, a new Irish record," he added, on receiving Ireland's fourth medal of the Games.

"To finish second and only three centimetres behind the gold is just a dream."

McCarthy, coached by Jimmy Byrne and Pat Furlong, finished ninth in the club throw on Tuesday.