Mona McSharry has won Ireland’s first medal of the Paris Olympics after taking bronze in the women’s 100m breaststroke.
McSharry finished third in a tight final, which was won by South Africa’s Tatjana Smith with Tang Qianting second for China.
The 23-year-old looked in shock as she checked the screen to see where she had finished, as her quiet confidence about securing a medal in Paris became a reality.
“Can’t really ask for anything more than winning a medal at the Olympics,” the Sligo swimmer told BBC Sport after winning Ireland’s first medal in the pool since the Atlanta Games in 1996.
“I’m not even sure that was really something that little me dreaming of going to the Olympics thought was possible.
“I’ve kept pushing and that’s what I’ve been training for all year, to be top three and dreams do come true.”
There were huge cheers in the La Defense Arena from the Irish support as the swimmers continue to deliver in the pool.
World champion Daniel Wiffen, from Northern Ireland, is one of the favourites to win gold in the men’s 800m freestyle final on Tuesday after qualifying fastest in the heats, while Ellen Walshe also reached a first Olympic final earlier on Monday.