Ireland’s Rachael Darragh in action against Spain’s Carolina Marin at the Paris Olympics
Donegal’s Rachael Darragh admitted she felt she could have given more in her Olympics debut but added it was “an honour” to play against former gold medallist Carolina Marín on Wednesday.
The Letterkenny woman bowed out of the Games after a 21-5 21-5 loss to the Spanish fourth seed, who won gold in Rio eight years ago and is a three-time world champion.
Darragh knew she had to win to make the knockouts after her defeat to Switzerland’s Jenjira Stadelmann on Tuesday, when she had match point, but was blown away by the classy Marín.
Although she was disappointed that she failed to show her best in her second pool match, Darragh was thrilled to get the chance to compete in Paris and was proud of how she played against Stadelmann.
“I knew before I stepped on the court today she would be a tough opponent, I just wanted to give my best performance and I feel like I really struggled with the conditions of the hall today,” conceded the 26-year-old.
“I felt like it was different from Court 3 to Court 1 but she was really fast and sharp and it was a whole level up today and I struggled a lot against her.
“No one is going to have an easy group in the Olympic Games, it’s the top level of sport but I knew I had a tough task.
“I’m proud of the performance yesterday in particular but I feel I could have given a little bit more today. Carolina played amazingly and it’s an honour to share the court with an Olympic champion at the Olympic Games.”
Marín quickly pulled ahead as she raced into an 11-4 lead at the midway point of the first game, with Darragh looking uncharacteristically nervous, and the Spaniard took full advantage to secure it 21-5.
And the second game would go much the same way, Marín up 11-3 at the break as Darragh failed to gain any momentum, and in the end it would be the same scoreline that would knock the Northern Ireland international out of the Games.
