Green and Gold? Ireland 5 Best Olympic Hopes!

Euro 2012 is long gone and soon (hopefully) Ireland's disappointing performance will be forgotten. Time to move on? Yes I think so!.... Next stop London. Yes I figured with the 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony tomorrow... that it would make a fitting topic to kick off my Blog. More specifically what are the chances that us Irish will finally get something to cheer about this summer? The British as usual have high expectations of themselves and quiet rightly so. "Team GB" has a lot of talented athletes and they are hoping to surpass the 19 gold medals they achieved in Beijing four years ago. So what are Ireland's chances at Olympic glory? Here are my top 5 to watch over the next few weeks.

5. Peter O'Leary and David Burrows (Sailing: Star class)

These two lads could be a surprise for gold having qualified for London by coming 9th in the ISAF World Sailing Championships. More notably they have managed to beat the current Olympic Gold, Silver and Bronze medal holders in the Pre-Olympics where they came first.

4. Robert Heffernan (20km/50km Walk)

Alright, this guy does not throw shapes that's for sure. Although often one of the more poked fun at events in the Olympics, Walking is in fact an integral part of the Athletics schedule and Heffernan has a great chance at a medal. He has been unlucky in the past coming 4th in both events in Barcelona. A lot of people see 2012 as his turn to get a medal... who knows he might walk it!! (Sorry for that)

3. Grainne Murphy (Swimming 800m/400m Freestyle, 400m I.M.)

She has won a silver medal in the 1,500 meter Freestyle at the European Aquatic Championships and was even shortlisted for RTE's sportsperson of the year, all at only 19 years of age too! Murphy is definitely one to keep an eye on, if not for her swimming skills then at least because she is quite the looker!

2. Paddy Barnes (Men's Light Flyweight Boxing)

This guy is not to be messed with. With tonnes of experience under his belt Paddy is a definite threat for the gold in London. He won his first medal in Beijing 2008, claiming the bronze. He also won gold in his two most recent tournaments the 2010 European Amateur Boxing Championship and the 2010 Commonwealth Games. So he must have a fighting chance of three in a row in London!

1. Katie Taylor (Women's Lightweight Boxing)

No prizes for guessing who number one would be here. When Katie isn't shooting music videos with Tallaght rockers Bipolar Empire, she is most likely in a boxing ring or training to be in one. Having said that it is also likely she could be on a football pitch somewhere as in  addition to boxing she plays for the Ireland Women's senior football team. Katie has an incredibly decorated career so much so I would be here for a week listing her honors, which go as far back as 2005. Let's just say this girl does not like bronze or silver... gold is the only colour that will do for Katie (Alongside green and white that is), so don't be surprised if you see her take the gold in London, my money will certainly be on her!