Final Irish Paralympic squad announced for games

The names of the final 11 Team Ireland athletes who will represent the country at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games were announced this week.

A quartet of veterans and debutants in the para equestrian team includes Kate Kerr Horan and her horse Serafina; Jessica Healy and her horse Davidoff; Michael Murphy and Cleverboy; and Sarah Slattery with her horse Savona.

Paratriathlon will be represented in Paris by three female athletes and two guides. Cassie Cava, Chloe MacCombe, accompanied by her guide Catherine Sands, and Chloe's twin sister Judith MacCombe, with her guide Eimear Nicolls, will also look to bring home medals for Ireland.

Ireland's para-rowing team consists of world champion Katie O'Brien and newcomer Tiarnán O'Donnell.

NEWS 📢@ParalympicsIRE Have offically announced their 35 strong team for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games!!

Read More 👉https://t.co/v3IyewVs7T #TeamIreland | @ParalympicsIRE | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/8SkGf6aGsR

— Sport Ireland (@sportireland) August 6, 2024

The entire team, featuring nine sports, was presented at the RDS in a ceremony in front of their friends, families, government dignitaries, and the wider Paralympics Ireland community.

Minister of State at the Department of Health and at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth, Anne Rabbitte, was also in attendance to wish the team the absolute best over the coming months.

Paralympics Ireland Chef de Mission Neasa Russell said: “We are really delighted to be presenting our full Team Ireland for the Paralympic Games. We are incredibly proud of the performances the athletes have put in to get to this point, and we are really looking forward to supporting them in reaching their potential in Paris. We must also acknowledge the wonderful support staff around them who have worked tirelessly to get their teams to this point. Tis maith leath na hoibre.”

The Paralympic Games will take place from Wednesday, August 28, 2024, to Sunday, September 8, 2024.