*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Boxing
Ireland will send seven boxers to compete in the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer.
Rio Olympian Brendan Irvine (Flyweight) captains the strong team but it’s Lisburn’s Kurt Walker (Featherweight) who represents the best hope of a medal in the Men’s. The Belfast man was Gold medallist at bantamweight in the 2019 European Games and won Silver at the 2018 Commonwealth games representing Northern Ireland.
Hopes are high for our women with European games silver medallist and #1 seed Kellie Harrington (Lightweight) our leading hope but Michaela Walsh (Featherweight) who also won silver at the Europeans is not without a shout either.
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Rowing
Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy are regarded as the best in the world in the lightweight double skulls discipline and the long odds-on price would suggest that they are likely to stand at the top of the podium.
Philip Doyle and Ronan Byrne might be a better betting proposition. The pair take part in the double skulls discipline and won silver at the World Championships in 2019. That form gives them a great chance of getting amongst the medals.
In the Women’s Single Sculls Sanita Puspure is on the hunt for an elusive Olympic medal to add to her two World Championships. This will likely be the 39-year old’s last chance at the games, but she has a great chance of being the first woman ever to bring a rowing medal home to Ireland.
Golf
Rory McIlroy admits patriotism is not a driving factor in his commitment to this year’s Olympic games. He feels it is his duty as one of the best players in the world to be there.
A world-class field will take part in the hunt for a gold medal headed by Jon Rahm. Shane Lowry will also make the trip and will relish representing his country at the games. After a strong finish at The Open last week, he is not without a chance.
There are six places on offer and both the Irish competitors have each-way chances.
In the Women’s golf, Leona Maguire has been in great form and is definitely in with a squeak of making the podium.
The Rest
Rio Silver medallist Annalise Murphy is back and is decent odds to win a medal in the Laser Radial, while Love Islander Greg O’Shea and our rugby 7s team, Cyclist Dan Martin, our showjumpers and Pentathlete Natalya Coyle are all in with shout.
Ireland’s best medal hopes:
Boxing:
Kellie Harrington – Womens Lightweight Gold Medal Winner
Rowing:
Golf:
Shane Lowry, Rory McIlroy or Leona Maguire to win a Gold Medal at the Olympics
Olympics betting guides
- Olympics tips: Paddy’s complete guide to betting on the Games
- Olympics tips: Paddy Power’s guide to the 5 new sports in 2021
- Olympics tips: Great Britain and Northern Ireland’s 5 best gold medal hopes
- Olympics tips: Best bets for 2021 football tournament at Tokyo Games
- Olympics tips: 5 rowing best bets for Tokyo 2020 Games
- Olympics tips: 3 athletics best bets for track and field action at Tokyo 2020