It’s just a shame that plucky up-and-comer from Holywood couldn’t get the job done.
Rory McIlroy is considered by some observers of the game of golf to be a live contender for the gold medal in Rio.
A renowned gym rat, the precocious Irishman is also known to be good with a club in hand and, along with Shane Lowry, could well earn a podium place as a good walk ruined returns to the Olympic Games for the first time since 1904.
With Australia’s finest running scared from the zika virus, it seems like the perfect time for Ireland to make a surge up the medal table. Unfortunately, McIlroy’s hopes of a confidence-boosting win at the Wells Fargo fell two shots short, despite an electrifying final day 66.
Golden Paul & Gary O'Donovan goes on with Gold Medal. pic.twitter.com/EufdQDZe5h
— Rowing Ireland (@RowingIreland) May 8, 2016
Thank heavens then for our modern pentathletes and rowers, who rescued a mediocre Sunday and turned it into a super Sunday.
First up we had Skibbereen brothers Paul and Gary O’Donovan claiming gold in the lightweight double sculls final at the European rowing championships in Brandenburg, Germany.
The pair beat the hosts and Norway in the final. On top of that, Anita Puspure won bronze in the women’s single sculls.
The answer is YES, World Cup Final Champions! Thank you @Natalyacoyle for being an amazing partner #StillHungry #☘ pic.twitter.com/siwkLaeZJI
— Arthur LOK (@ArthurLOK1) May 8, 2016
Then it was the turn of Arthur Lanigan O’Keeffe and Natalya Coyle to claim gold at the Pentathlon World Cup in Florida on Sunday night, beating Katsiaryna Arol and Mikalai Hayanouski of Belarus into second place.
The Irish pair fenced, freestyle swam, showjumped, pistol shot and cross-country ran their way to glory.
Lanigan O’Keeffe has already secured his place at Rio, but Coyle is hopeful of doing likewise at upcoming qualifying events.
Main image from @Natalyacoyle
