Smyth on course for another gold medal

Jason Smyth today qualified in first position for tomorrow's final of the 200m T13 final in the Paralympic Games.

The Derry native qualified with a personal best of 21.48, just outside of his world record of 21.43, ahead of his Russian counterpart who qualified with a time of 22.18 and his Cuban competitor who placed third in 22.35

Smyth looked comfortable as he eased up 20 meters before the line.

He will be hoping for another medal after he retained his 100m T3 100m title on Saturday by setting a new world record on his way to gold at the Olympic Stadium.

Speaking afterwards Smyth said: "I know I’m in good shape. I wanted to go under the world record. The main thing is I am in the final.

"I haven’t seen any of the other times but the run gives me confidence going in to tomorrow’s final."

Dubliner Ellen Keane was back in the pool this morning after a week-long break since her last event. The 17-year-old, swimming in the 200m Individual Medley, qualified sixth into this evening’s final in a time of 2:42.00.

South African Natalie du Toit finished in first place with 2:36.92 with Team GB taking second, third and fourth places in the qualifiers.

Keane, who has not competed since day one of the Games said: "It’s been a bit annoying not being able to compete for the last week, but I got to watch the other guy’s races and medals so that’s been great.

"I was disappointed with that race, I’ve swam a season’s best of 2:41 this year, but I’m in the final so can’t really complain, there’s more to come."

Ellen’s final will take place at 5:38pm.

James Scully was also in action this morning. Scully, swimming in his third event of the games, finished 13th in the 50m Backstroke heats and outside of the qualifying times for this evening’s final.

Speaking after the event he said: "I was disappointed, it just didn’t feel right, the first 25m was fine, I just couldn’t get into it and pick up the pace.

"I’m still feeling really strong for the Freestyle, I was only .2 off my PB in the 200m Free split, hopefully judging by that I can go pretty fast”.

Scully will be back in action in the 100m Freestyle on Saturday.

Ireland’s top C5 rider, Cathal Miller, finished in 14th position in an aggressive race in the Men’s C4-5 Road Race in Brands Hatch today.

In what was an incredibly fast race, Miller rode a strong race to finish in the second bunch on the road in a race won by Dementyev of Ukraine, who also won Gold in the Time Trial yesterday.

The pace of the Road Race was ferocious, with much of the bunch being Professional Riders on the able-bodied race circuit.

The 80km race finished 15 minutes ahead of the allotted time, with the race lead changed considerably throughout the 10 laps.

Brazil, Spain and Gallagher of Australia were particularly active throughout the race, but in the bunch sprint it was China’s Liu who took the silver, and Pittacolo of Italy who won the bunch sprint for bronze.

Miller’s 14th place was an impressive finish, especially considering his back brake became faulty during the competition, making it difficult to hang onto the group as they negotiated tricky descents and corners, and missed the crucial break with three laps to go.

After the race, Miller said: "That was my best Road Race to date. I’m racing against professional riders out there.

"The likes of Novak won the Tour of Romandy recently."

The Dublin-based civil servant is one of the most experienced cyclists on the Irish Team, and balances training and competition with a full time job.

"I was delighted to finish in 14th place. That is in the top 40% in the race, not bad against professional riders like Dementyev and Gallagher who are so dominant in cycling."

At the ExCel Arena this afternoon, Rena McCarron Rooney and Eimear Breathnach have lost their Team F1-F3 Quarter Final match against Italy’s Michela Brunelli and Pamela Pezzutto. The final score was 0-3 to Italy.

Breathnach played Brunelli in the opening game with Brunelli taking the lead, winning 11-6, 11-3, 11-6.

McCarron looked hopeful when she won the first set against Pezzutto 11-8, however it was not to be with Italy taking the remaining sets, 11-4, 11-7, 11-2.

In the final match, McCarron played Brunelli but Italy took a three-set win with 11-4, 11-4, 11-6

This was the last table tennis match that the Irish team were involved in.