Kilkenny native breaks national record at Paralympic Games
The local man teamed up with Mitchell McLaughlin
An eye-catching performance from Kilkennyman Damien Vereker, piloted by Mitchell McLaughlin, saw the pair set a new personal best and a new national record in the process as they posted a time of 4:14.817 to finish in seventh place in the qualifying round for the Men’s B 4000m Individual Pursuit on the second day at the Paralympic Games in Paris.
Unfortunately, despite the local man's heroic efforts, it wasn't enough to secure a final spot.
The 44 year old, originally from South Kilkenny but now based in Waterford has had a glittering career to date having previously represented Ireland at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where he achieved an impressive 8th place finish.
"It was some experience, it was unreal," Vereker told RTE Sport after the race.
"I think I messed up the gate. I didn't leave it panic me, just kept into the plan, to keep control for the first four laps and then unleash and with this crowd you just feed of it, it's just amazing, it's crazy."