Sailing: Peter O'Leary and Stephen Milne have been awarded the remaining two berths in the Irish sailing team for the Olympic Games.
The pair's nominations for the Star class, made by the Olympic Steering Group, were unanimously accepted at a meeting of the Irish Sailing Association yesterday.
It was the first time since 1992 that selection in the class has been made by a committee rather than purely from on-the-water trials.
The decision means that Max Treacy and Anthony Shanks, who were the actual crew to earn an Irish place in Beijing when they finished 14th in Miami last month, will be left at home. Maurice O'Connell and Ben Cooke, who were also in contention, miss out as well.
Colm Barrington, chairman of the steering group, expressed his sympathy with the sailors not selected but gave his full backing to O'Leary and Milne.
"The three crews in contention for the place demonstrated enormous skill and great determination in their campaigns" Barrington said in a statement.
"While it is very disappointing for the two crews who miss out,
the OSG unanimously
selected O'Leary and Milne. They have demonstrated that they
have the best chance of success in the Olympic regatta."
The successful Star crew will join Ciara Peelo (Laser Radial), Tim Goodbody (Finn) and Ger Owens and Phil Lawton (470) at this summer's Games.