There was history for Ireland at the Olympic Velodrome as Shannon McCurley became the first woman to represent the nation in track cycling at an Olympic Games – however, her competition was short-lived, writes Will Downing.

McCurley – Melbourne-born of Irish parents, and a bronze-medallist at the European U23 Championships in Portugal five years ago – was fifth in her opening round heat, with the first two qualifying.

Elis Ligtlee of the Netherlands and Simona Krupeckaite of Lithuania were the two to progress, with 24-year-old McCurley 0.331 seconds off Krupeckaite’s qualifying time.

Within the hour McCurley was back on the track in the repechage, with only the heat winner going through on this occasion.

The Irishwoman came fourth, 0.268 off race winner Anastasiia Voinova of Russia.

The second round and finals are later tonight.