Double gold strike

The Northern Ireland gold rush at the Rio Paralympics continued last night with Bethany Firth adding to Michael McKillop's glory run earlier.

Seaforde swimmer Firth, racing for Great Britain, won the S14 200 metres freestyle final, hot on the heels of her gold in the 100m backstroke on Thursday, while Glengormley man and Team Ireland athlete McKillop conquered searing heat to retain the T37 1500m title. Jason Smyth from Eglinton retained his T13 100m title in Team Ireland colours on Friday and the Northern Ireland gold medal total is now four.

Firth clocked 2:03.30 in a new Games record time to finish ahead of Great Britain team-mate Jessica-Jane Applegate and Marlou Van Der Kulk.The 20-year-old said: "I'm so thankful it all came together. I wasn't feeling well this morning but Team GB got me up and going again."

Firth will now try to add to her incredible medal haul in the 100m breaststroke and 200m individual medley events.

Belfast Telegraph