Eoin Rheinisch has qualified for the semi-finals of the canoeing event, but his place in the semi-final is now pending an appeal from American Scott Parsons.
Rheinisch posted 88.52 seconds in his first attempt and needed to improve in the next heat.
He did just that, but a two-second penalty put his place in the qualification places in jeopardy.
But one of the leading competitors, Parsons, did the Dubliner a huge favour only minutes later.
Parsons was on course to qualify in the top three but just near the end he missed a gate and incurred a 50-second penalty.
This put him out of the top 16 and Rheinisch's place in the semi-final was secured.
However, the US has appealed the penalty imposed on Parsons in the second run and while their initial appeal was rejected they have launched a second one.
Should the new appeal be successful, it will put Parsons into the top 15 and will push Rheinisch out.
Irish manager Deaglan O Drisceoil said that if the US appeal is successful, Ireland will lodge a counter appeal.
It may take hours to resolve or that we may even have to wait until Tuesday morning (Irish time).
Rheinisch said that he approached the first run, in which he finished 18th, far too conservatively and then gave it a lash in the second run.
The semi-final takes place on Tuesday and Rheinisch will have to improve greatly to be in medal contention. He is due to be first off at around 8.30am Irish time.
