Glorious age of Irish swimming; boxing relief

July 28, 2024·22 min·2 clips

Jack Marley breaks Ireland's boxing losing streak with a dominant 4-1 victory to reach the quarterfinals.

This episode covers Ireland's performances on day two of the Paris Olympics, focusing on boxing and swimming. Host Michael is joined by Irish Olympian and former swimmer Barry Murphy for analysis. Raph Diallo reports from the Paris Nord Arena on the boxing events. Jack Marley secured a split-decision victory in the heavyweight division, ending a run of Irish boxing losses that included Aidan Walsh and Grainne Walsh. Mona McSharry set a new Irish record of 1:05.51 to qualify second-fastest for the women's 100m breaststroke final. Barry Murphy explains McSharry honed her racing skills in the American collegiate system, regularly podiuming at NCAA meets. Daniel Wiffen, the current world champion, is highlighted as a medal contender in the 800m and 1500m freestyle, with Americans like Bobby Finke seen as key rivals. Murphy notes McSharry appeared calmer and more confident than in Tokyo, attributing this to maturity and her U.S. training environment. He describes the Olympic pool's depth influencing speed, with deeper pools creating less turbulence and drag. The episode reveals swimmer Eleanor Holm was kicked off the 1936 U.S. team for "excessive carousing" on the voyage to Munich, later starring in a Tarzan film. Murphy predicts a strategic 800m freestyle heat for Wiffen against competitors like Australia's Sam Short. The analysis emphasizes the different demands of sprint versus distance swimming, comparing them to "almost different sports." Finke is noted for his formidable closing speed in races. The tone is conversational and analytical, blending immediate event reporting with technical sporting insights. Listeners interested in detailed Irish Olympic prospects and swimming mechanics would enjoy this episode. Those seeking broader Olympic coverage or different sports might find its focus too narrow.

As heard by us

Marley ends the boxing run, McSharry reaches the final, and Ireland's Paris night brightens.

The RTE Olympics podcast takes a steady look at a better night for Ireland in Paris on day two, with Jack Marley ending the boxing run of defeats and Mona McSharry moving into tomorrow's 100 metre breaststroke final after a new national record.

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Why you'd press play

You get a boxing win, a national-record swim, and Barry Murphy making the pool picture make sense.

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