Crash puts paid to Irish challenge in women's Omnium

The Irish pair fell behind early in the race and never got back into the run of things after a crash that involved McCurley and Elisa Balsamo of Italy

Emily Kay, left, and Shannon McCurley of Ireland in action during the women's madison race. Picture: Alex Broadway/Sportsfile

It wasn’t just horses that proved unreliable steeds for Irish Olympians today.

Shannon McCurley and Emily Kay found it tricky navigating their way around Izu Velodrome in the women’s Madison with the Irish team failing to finish a race marked by multiple misfortunes.