Olympics | Your must-have guide to all 39 of Northern Ireland’s athletes at the Games

The time has arrived, the Olympics are upon us and there are a host of hopefuls from Northern Ireland aiming to bring home the gold from Paris across a variety of sports.

In total, 39 athletes across 12 different sports will be aiming for a spot on the podium in France and we have the lowdown on each individual and their chances of securing some silverware.

Take a look below!

ARCHERY

Conor Hall – Great Britain

A last-gasp bronze medal at Final Qualifying in June ensured Hall would make his Olympic debut this year, and he will do so across multiple disciplines, competing for three medals in France over the next two weeks. All three are outside chances of medals, admittedly, but the former Campbell College man will hope that he can make a bid for the podium having qualified for the first time in his eight-year international career.

Men’s Individual Ranking Round: Thursday, July 25, 3.15pm

Men’s Team Event: Monday, July 29

Men’s Individual Last-32, Last-16: Tuesday, July 30 to Wednesday, August 1

Mixed Team Event: Friday, August 2

Men’s Individual Quarter-Final, Semi-Final, Final: Sunday, August 4

ARTISITC GYMNASTICS

Rhys McClenaghan – Ireland

Newtownards gymnast Rhys McClenaghan travels to Paris with a weight of expectation on his shoulders. The reigning European and World champion on the Pommel is favourite to win the Olympic title, despite the presence of Team GB’s Max Whitlock, who won the event in Rio and Tokyo. The 25-year-old is the poster boy of the Irish team.

All-Around Qualification: Saturday, July 27

Pommel Horse Final: Saturday, August 3, 4.16pm

ATHLETICS

Ciara Mageean – Ireland

This is Portaferry woman Ciara Mageean’s third Olympic Games, and she will be desperate to make a major impact in Paris after injury issues blighted her progress in Rio and Tokyo. The 32-year-old won 1500m gold in Rome at the European Championships in Rome. Naturally, the Olympics is a step up from the Europeans, but Mageean will hope to push for a medal.

Women’s 1500m Heats: Tuesday, August 6, 9.05am

Women’s 1500m Repechage: Wednesday, August 7, 11.45am

Women’s 1500m Semi-Final: Thursday, August 8, 6.35pm

Women’s 1500m Final: Saturday, August 10, 7.25pm

Rachel McCann – Ireland

Bangor woman Rachel McCann will race for Ireland in both the Mixed 4x400m Relay and the Women’s 4x400m. The 22-year-old North Down Athletics Club star travels to Paris in fantastic form having set personal bests over both 200m and 400m this year. Rachel received an Athletics scholarship at Queen’s where she is studying Pharmaceutical Science.

Mixed 4x400m Relay Heats: Friday, August 2, 6.10pm

Mixed 4x400m Relay Final: Saturday, August 3, 7.55pm

Women’s 4x400m Relay Heats: Friday, August 9, 9.40am

Women’s 4x400m Relay Final: Saturday, August 10, 8.22pm

Kate O’Connor – Ireland

An incredible silver-medal-winning performance for Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham two years ago established Kate O’Connor as one of this island’s most exciting athletes. The Newry-born, Dundalk-raised heptathlete missed the Tokyo Games through injury. The 23-year-old is keen to make up for that disappointment with a strong performance in Paris.

Heptathlon 100m Hurdles: Thursday, August 8, 9.05am

Heptathlon High Jump: Thursday, August 8, 10.05am

Heptathlon Shot Put: Thursday, August 8, 6.35pm

Heptathlon 200m: Thursday, August 8, 7.55pm

Heptathlon Long Jump: Friday, August 9, 9.05am

Heptathlon Javelin: Friday, August 9, 10.20am

Heptathlon 800m: Friday, August 9, 800m

BADMINTON

Rachael Darragh – Ireland

Darragh went through the emotional wringer, initially missing out on a place in the Games by the narrowest of margins, only to get a late invite when one of the French qualifiers was automatically added due to the Games being held in Paris. Now, she hopes to make the most of that invite by storming to a medal, although she will have to overcome some quality opponents such as South Korea’s An se-Young and China’s Chen Yufei.

Women’s Singles Group: Wednesday, July 31

Women’s Singles Last-16: Thursday, August 1

Women’s Singles Quarter-Final: Saturday, August 3

Women’s Singles Semi-Final: Sunday, August 4

Women’s Singles Finals: Monday, August 5, 8.45am

BOXING

Jude Gallagher – Ireland

Tyrone man Gallagher has been on a meteoric rise in the sport, winning an unlikely Commonwealth gold two years ago, and now, he will hope to back that up at the Olympics by bringing home a medal there, too. The 22-year-old is headed to his first Games as he continues to fly up the rankings and will be one to watch in the ring, although Uzbekistan’s Abdumalik Khalokov is a clear favourite in this category.

Men’s 57kg Last-32: Sunday, July 28

Men’s 57kg Last-16: Wednesday, July 31

Men’s 57kg Quarter-Final: Sunday, August 4

Men’s 57kg Semi-Final: Thursday, August 8, 8.30pm

Men’s 57kg Final: Saturday, August 10, 8.47pm

Michaela Walsh – Ireland

Walsh is headed to her second Games, having competed in Tokyo three years ago, and she will now be hoping to add Olympic gold to the Commonwealth gold she won in 2022. Having reached the Round of 16 that year, she now has experience under her belt, and having won Commonwealth gold and European bronze since, she will be one of the favourites to make it onto the podium, with her biggest challengers being Nesthy Petecio and Svetlana Staneva.

Women’s 57kg Last-32: Tuesday, July 30

Women’s 57kg Last-16: Friday, August 2

Women’s 57kg Quarter-Final: Sunday, August 4

Women’s 57kg Semi-Final: Wednesday, August 7, 8.30pm

Women’s 57kg Final: Saturday, August 10, 8.30pm

Aidan Walsh – Ireland

Making it a Walsh double act in the ring in Paris, Aidan is the only one of Northern Ireland’s three boxers to have won an Olympic medal already having claimed bronze in Tokyo, so the obvious next step is to make it to the gold medal bout at least. Like his sister, he is a Commonwealth gold medallist in the interim having claimed little middleweight success in Birmingham two years ago, although he will face stern competition from Kazakhstan’s Aslanbek Shymbergenov and Mexican Marco Verde.

Men’s 71kg Last-32: Sunday, July 28

Men’s 71kg Last-16: Wednesday, July 31

Men’s 71kg Quarter-Final: Saturday, August 3

Men’s 71kg Semi-Final: Tuesday, August 6, 8.30pm

Men’s 71kg Final: Friday, August 9, 8.30pm

CYCLING

Erin Creighton and Alice Sharpe – Ireland

It’s been a rapid rise to the top for Erin Creighton, who only started competing in 2021 and is now headed to her first Games where she will be partnered by Sharpe, who specifically focused on the team pursuit and has now achieved her long-held dream of going to the Olympics. While the teams from Great Britain, New Zealand and the United States are favourites, a strong ride from Ireland could see them crack the podium.

Women’s Team Pursuit Qualifying: Tuesday, August 6, 4.30pm

Women’s Team Pursuit First Round and Finals: Wednesday, August 7, 12.52pm

EQUESTRIAN

Susie Berry – Ireland

Dromore’s Susie Berry relocated to Northamptonshire to train in 2014, quickly establishing herself as a member of the Great Britain team. She was badly injured competing in Blair Castle a year ago – concussion, broken ribs, punctured lungs and liver laceration – but recovered to qualify for Paris. She will ride 11-year-old Wellfields Lincoln.

Eventing Individual Cross Country: Sunday, July 28, 9.30am

Eventing Individual Jumping: Monday, July 29, 10am

Eventing Individual Final: Monday, July 29, 2pm

Abigail Lyle – Ireland

Bangor’s Abigail Lyle persuaded her parents to buy her a horse after completing her GCSEs. Former Olympian Carl Hester has coached her to international level, and she now trains 10 horses in a yard in Moreton-in-Marsh in the Cotswolds having made her international debut in 2014. She will ride 14-year-old Giraldo in Paris.

Dressage Individual Day One: Tuesday, July 30, 10am

Dressage Individual Day Two: Wednesday, July 31, 9am

Dressage Individual Final: Sunday, August 4, 9am

GOLF

Rory McIlroy – Ireland

After the disappointment of another year without a Major title, McIlroy will fancy himself to win a first Olympics medal representing Ireland. The Holywood man has been critical of the event in the past but admitted he is warming to it the more he plays and will look to challenge world No.1 Scottie Scheffler and Open champion Xander Schauffele for gold. McIlroy missed out on bronze in a Play-Off in 2021.

Men’s Golf: Thursday, August 1 to Sunday, August 4

Stephanie Meadow – Ireland

After finishing seventh in Tokyo three years ago, Meadow will be aiming to crack the podium in Paris, although it will be a tough ask given the quality that is currently in the women’s game, spearheaded by the likes of Nelly Korda, Lilia Vu and Jin Young Ko. The Jordanstown woman is competing at her third Olympics, with Cavan’s Leona Maguire also in action for Ireland.

Women’s Golf: Thursday, August 8 to Sunday, August 11

HOCKEY

Sean Murray, Peter Brown, Peter McKibbin, Matthew Nelson, Johnny McKee, Tim Cross, Kyle Marshall, Michael Robson – Ireland

Ireland produced a superb performance in their qualification tournament back in January to earn their place at the Games this summer, defeating South Korea in a dramatic Play-Off to reach Paris. A strong contingent of Northern Irish players will spearhead their gold medal bid, including captain Sean Murray, although it would be a shock given they are the lowest-ranked side in their pool and second-lowest in the entire tournament.

Ireland v Belgium: Saturday, July 27, 9.30am

Ireland v Australia: Monday, July 29, 9am

Ireland v India: Tuesday, July 30, 12.15pm

Ireland v Argentina: Thursday, August 1, 12.15pm

Ireland v New Zealand: Friday, August 2, 4pm

Men’s Quarter-Final: Sunday, August 4

Men’s Semi-Final: Tuesday, August 6

Men’s Final: Thursday, August 8, 6pm

David Ames – Great Britain

While Ireland may be rank outsiders for a medal in Paris, Great Britain are certainly not and will be looking to firstly top their pool and then ride that momentum to the gold. Cookstown’s David Ames is headed to his third Games having swapped allegiances from Ireland to Great Britain nine years ago and will be hoping to pick up a first medal having failed to get past the Quarter-Finals before.

Great Britain v Spain: Saturday, July 27, 9am

Great Britain v South Africa: Sunday, July 28, 7.15pm

Great Britain v Netherlands: Tuesday, July 30, 11.45am

Great Britain v France: Thursday, August 1, 11.45am

Great Britain v Germany: Friday, August 2, 7.15pm

Men’s Quarter-Final: Sunday, August 4

Men’s Semi-Final: Tuesday, August 6

Men’s Final: Thursday, August 8, 6pm

ROWING

Philip Doyle – Ireland

Banbridge rower Philip Doyle took up rowing while studying medicine at Queen’s University in 2014. He combined his preparation for Tokyo with working as an active doctor during the pandemic. Now fully focused on rowing, he hopes to compete for a medal in the double sculls alongside Daire Lynch. The 31-year-old won bronze at last year’s World Championships.

Men’s Double Sculls Heats: Saturday, July 27, 10.30am

Men’s Double Sculls Repechages: Sunday, July 28, 9.20am

Men’s Double Sculls Semi-Final: Tuesday, July 30, 10.10am

Men’s Double Sculls Final: Thursday, August 1, 9.42pm

Ross Corrigan and Nathan Timoney – Ireland

Fermanagh pair Ross Corrigan and Nathan Timoney have rowed together since their days together at Enniskillen Royal. The Men’s Pair finished seventh at this year’s World Cup. Ross (25) hails from Kinawley, while Nathan (23) is from Enniskillen and has a degree from Queen’s in Business Management.

Men’s Pair Heats: Sunday, July 28, 10am

Men’s Pair Repechages: Monday, July 29, 9.20am

Men’s Pair Semi-Final: Tuesday, July 31, 9.34am

Men’s Pair Final: Friday, August 2, 9.42am

Rebecca Shorten – Great Britain

Belfast rower Rebecca Shorten joined the Imperial College Boat Club while studying Sports Science at Roehampton University. Her determination led to her joining the GB Rowing Team in 2017, making her Olympic debut in the Women’s Four in Tokyo. She has won both World and European gold since then.

Women’s Fours Heats: Sunday, July 28, 11.30am

Women’s Four Repechages: Tuesday, July 30, 10.30am

Women’s Four Final: Thursday, August 1, 9.54am

Hannah Scott – Great Britain

Following in the footsteps of Olympic medallists Alan Campbell and brothers Richard and Peter Chambers, Hannah began rowing at Bann Rowing Club in her home town of Coleraine. Hannah’s journey took her to Princeton University, where she became a two-time Ivy League champion in the Varsity Eight. Hannah returned to the UK to represent Team GB in Tokyo before winning a world title in the quadruple sculls in 2023.

Women’s Quadruple Sculls Heats: Saturday, July 27, 11.50am

Women’s Quadruple Sculls Repechages: Monday, July 29, 10.30am

Women’s Quadruple Sculls Final: Wednesday, July 31, 11.14am

Rebecca Edwards – Great Britain

Aughnacloy’s Rebecca Edwards took up rowing at Queen’s whilst studying for her degree in French and Spanish. After graduating she made the decision to relocate to England and row at Molesey Boat Club with aspirations of making the national team. She raced in the Women’s eight in Tokyo and has since won a European silver medal, before switching her focus to the Women’s Pairs.

Women’s Pairs Heats: Sunday July 28, 9.30am

Women’s Pairs Repechages: Monday, July 29, 9.30am

Women’s Pairs Semi-Final: Wednesday, July 31, 9.54am

Women’s Pairs Final: Friday, August 2, 9.54am

RUGBY SEVENS

Ashleigh Orchard and Claire Boles – Ireland

The Ireland Women’s team have taken great strides in recent years, and they come into the Olympics with legitimate designs on potentially winning a medal in Paris. Ashleigh Orchard is back in the fold after the birth of her first child, while Claire Boles has been a mainstay throughout the entire qualification process as both head to their first Games, however Ireland will be outsiders compared to the likes of New Zealand, Australia and hosts France.

Ireland v Great Britain: Sunday, July 28, 2.30pm

Ireland v South Africa: Sunday, July 28, 6pm

Ireland v Australia: Monday, July 29, 1.30pm

Women’s Quarter-Finals: Monday, July 29, 8pm

Women’s Semi-Finals: Tuesday, July 30, 2.30pm

Women’s Final: Tuesday, July 30, 6.45pm

Zac Ward – Ireland

With Hugo Keenan on board for Ireland, their medal hopes in the Sevens have increased significantly, and they will also heavily rely on Northern Ireland’s Zac Ward, who was named Irish Sevens Player of the Season earlier in the year. All eyes will be on France and Antoine Dupont, but Ireland have steadily been improving in the smaller format and they will be keen to make an impact in their first Games.

Men’s Quarter-Final: Thursday, July 25, 8pm

Men’s Semi-Final: Saturday, July 27, 2.30pm

Men’s Final: Saturday, July 27, 6.45pm

SWIMMING

Victoria Catterson and Grace Davison – Ireland

The Ards Swimming Club duo will compete alongside Danielle Hill in the 4x100m Medley. Catterson is the Irish 200m freestyle record holder and was part of the women’s 4x100m medley relay team which set the national record of 4:01.25 at the 2023 World Championships in Japan. Bangor schoolgirl Davison is Ireland’s youngest Olympian, aged 16. She represented Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games aged 14.

Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay Heats: Saturday, July 27, TBC

Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay Final: Saturday, July 27, 8.34pm

Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay Heats: Saturday, August 3, TBC

Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay Final: Saturday, August 3, 6.26pm

Conor Ferguson – Ireland

The Larne Swimming Club man narrowly missed Olympic qualification in the 100m backstroke for Rio by just .05 of a second when he was only 16. Based in Loughborough since late 2021, he broke the 54-second mark at this year’s World Championships in February and then lowered it to 53:87 at Olympics trials in May.

Men’s 4x100m Medley Relay Heats: Saturday, August 3, TBC

Men’s 4x100m Medley Relay Final: Sunday, August 4, 6.06pm

Danielle Hill – Ireland

Ireland’s fastest-ever female swimmer became European champion at the non-Olympic distance of 50m backstroke. She also won European silver in 100m backstroke. The Larne Swimming Club star made her Olympic debut in Tokyo and was 25th in 100m backstroke heats and 33rd in 50m freestyle heats. Danielle has completed a Sport and Exercise Science degree at Ulster University.

Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay Heats: Saturday, July 27, TBC

Women’s 4x100m Freestyle Relay Final: Saturday, July 27, 8.34pm

Women’s Backstroke 100m Heats: Monday, July 29, TBC

Women’s Backstroke 100m Semi-Final: Tuesday, July 29, TBC

Women’s Backstroke 100m Final: Tuesday, July 30, 7.56pm

Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay Heats: Saturday, August 3, TBC

Women’s Freestyle 50m Heats: Saturday, August 3, 10am

Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay Final: Saturday, August 3, 6.26pm

Women’s Freestyle 50m Semi-Final: Saturday, August 3, 7.37pm

Women’s Freestyle 50m Final: Sunday, August 4, 5.30pm

Jack McMillan – Britain

Former Bangor Swimming Club man Jack McMillan competed for Ireland in Tokyo before switching to Team GB ahead of the Paris Games. He is now a member of the British 4x200m Freestyle Relay team alongside the likes of James Guy and Tom Dean, who will seek to defend the title they won in Tokyo three years ago.

Men’s 4×200 Freestyle Relay Heat: Tuesday, July 30, TBC

Men’s 4×200 Freestyle Relay Final: Tuesday, July 30, 9pm

Daniel Wiffen – Ireland

Daniel and his twin brother Nathan started swimming in Lurgan before moving to Loughborough where he studies IT and Business. His first major medal was Commonwealth Games silver for Northern Ireland in the 1500m freestyle in 2022. In February 2024, he not only became the first Irish swimmer to medal at a World LC Championships, but became a double World champion in 800m/1500m. The Magheralin man is a genuine gold medal contender.

Men’s Freestyle 800m Heats: Monday, July 29, TBC

Men’s Freestyle 800m Final: Tuesday, July 30, 8.02pm

Men’s Freestyle 1500m Heats: Saturday, August 3, TBC

Men’s Freestyle 1500m Final: Sunday, August 4, 5.36pm

Men’s Marathon Swimming: Friday, August 9, 6am