Olympian Niall Comerford who has ties to Kilkenny is among those hoping for early success as Games begin in Paris

We’ve some local interest in the first of the Olympic Games today.

Two days ahead of the official opening ceremony in Paris, action gets underway this morning with the Rugby Sevens and Football tournaments.

Niall Comerford, whose father Philip is from Callan in Kilkenny, is part of the Irish men’s Rugby Sevens who have games against South Africa at 4.30pm and Japan at 8pm.

Cllr Joe Lyons has been telling KCLR News that those in the area are hugely excited for him and very much getting behind his efforts;

While Carlow man John Farrell is Performance Analyst with the squad and is in Paris with them.

The team finished 10th on their Olympic debut in Tokyo three years ago, losing their first game to South Africa (33-14), but their second place finish in this season’s HSBC SEVENS Series standings shows how much they have improved.

Added to that, Johnstown, Kilkenny native Orlaith Curran’s also ready for action in Paris as Head Athletic Performance Coach to the Irish Women’s Rugby Sevens crew who are in action on the 28th of July;