World-class swimmers expected to lead medal race for Ireland at Paralympics

Ireland's first representatives were named today.

Paralympics Ireland names seven athletes to represent Team Ireland at the Paralympic Games this summer from August 28 - September 8. Pictured are the swimming team, back row, from left, Barry McClements, Róisín Ní Ríain, Ellen Keane and Deaten Registe; front row, Nicole Turner, left, and Dearbhaile Brady. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

A TEAM of 30-35 athletes is expected to represent Ireland at the Paralympic Games in Paris this year (August 20-September 8), marginally up on the 29 who qualified for the Tokyo Games.

Ireland’s para-swimmers, who won a record 12 medals at the European Championships in Madeira in late April, will once again carry Ireland’s best medal hopes and six of them, plus table tennis player Colin Judge, were confirmed in Paralympic Ireland’s first team announcement yesterday.