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Irish in action: Paralympics Day 6

Phil Eaglesham makes his Paralympic debut in shooting
Phil Eaglesham makes his Paralympic debut in shooting

It's a much quieter day for Team Ireland in Rio, with action confined to the sailing, shooting and swimming.

1:55pm Swimming - Nicole Turner, S6 400m freestyle heats

It's a good job Nicole Turner is a bundle of energy, as the 14-year-old takes to the Paralympic pool for the seventh time in five days in the heats of the 400m free. The Portarlington teenager has been one of the stars of the Games for Ireland, reaching the final in each of her first three events. 

Competing in events ranging from 50m to 400m, the youngster has admitted she has yet to decide if she is more suited to the sprint or long-distance events, so there will be nobody more interested than herself in today's performance.

3:16pm Swimming - Ailbhe Kelly, S8 100m backstroke heats

Castleknock swimmer Ailbhe Kelly's final event is her best, having set a personal best in reaching the final of the 2015 world championships. Having not made a final yet in Rio, the 17-year-old will be looking for a repeat of last year's performance to round off her Games on a high.

5pm Shooting - Phil Eaglesham, R5 Mixed 10m Rifle Prone

#PhilsBeard has been trending ahead of the Paralympics in honour of the beard grown by Eaglesham, initially to hide his identity and now as a symbol of his efforts to highlight those in similar situations having mental health problems.

The 34-year-old former Marine from Dungannon contracted Q Fever in Afghanistan in 2011 and took up shooting to help him deal with his condition, and is taking part in his first Paralympics. Eaglesham finished 12th in the World Cup event in Thailand in March to qualify for today's event.

5:35pm Sailing - John Twomey, Ian Costelloe and Austin O'Carroll, Sonar races 3 & 4

It wasn't a great day on the water yesterday for the Irish trio, which includes Opening Ceremony flagbearer John Twomey (pictured), remarkably competing in his 11th Games.

Finishes of 10th and 14th leave the Irish boat 12th overall, but there is little time to dwell on those results with another pair of races today. The ability to discard their worst score means a couple of better results today could see them moving nicely up the leaderboard.

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