Irish in Action: Monday, August 8th

Paddy Barnes among the Irish athletes starting their Rio Olympics campaign

Finn Lynch and Annalise Murphy will take to the Marina da Gloria course on Monday. Photo: Clive Mason/Getty Images
Finn Lynch and Annalise Murphy will take to the Marina da Gloria course on Monday. Photo: Clive Mason/Getty Images

2pm - Equestrian (all times Irish)

After a stellar display in dressage over the weekend, the Irish three-day eventing team of Clare Abbott, Jonty Evans, Mark Kyle and Pádraig McCarthy face a testing cross-country course. One of the most difficult course ever seen at a Games - due to the terrain, the questions asked and the size of the fences - the track around the Deodoro equestrian complex is certain to challenge the Irish riders.

3.30pm - Rowing

Assuming the weather behaves at the Lagoa Stadium, the doubles crews begin their games in the Rio waters with the women up first. Claire Lambe and Sinead Lynch will go in lane five of the third heat in the women's lightweight double sculls at 3.30pm. In the men's equivalent siblings Gary and Paul O'Donovan go in the first heat at 3.50pm.

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3.45pm - Boxing

He may have spent the last few days having fun at a certain golfer's expense, but it will be all business today as Paddy Barnes steps into the ring at his third Olympics. Chasing another medal after securing bronze in Beijing and London, Barnes will face Samuel Carmona Heredia of Spain in the men's light flyweight (49kg) division.

5.05pm/6.30pm - Sailing

Finn Lynch, Irish sailing’s new kid on the block, will be the first to taste competition at the much maligned Marina da Gloria venue. The 20-year from Carlow, the youngest Irish sailor to qualify for an Olympics, will have two Laser races this afternoon.

5.15pm/6.40pm - Sailing

After suffering heartbreak in Weymouth four years ago, where she slipped out of the medal positions to fourth in the final race despite four first place finishes, Annalise Murphy is seeking Olympic redemption in Rio. The 26-year-old goes in her first two races in the women's Laser Radial class.