The 2026 Commonwealth Games have officially commenced, featuring a packed Friday schedule for Team Northern Ireland in Glasgow. Gary Kelly kicks off the morning at 08:30 BST, facing New Zealand’s Shannon McIlroy in the men’s singles after his previous victory over Niue. Later at 11:20, Shauna O’Neill and Chloe Wilson will take on Niue in the women’s pairs following their earlier win.
Swimming events at the Tollcross Swimming Centre begin with heats at 10:30. Victoria Catterson is scheduled for the 400m freestyle, while Grace Davison and Lottie Cullen represent the team in the 200m backstroke. Other swimmers include Conor Ferguson and Paddy Johnston in the 50m backstroke, Alana Burns-Aiken in the 50m butterfly, and Adam Bradley in the 100m breaststroke. Additionally, Barry McClements competes in the men’s S10 100m butterfly, with both the men’s and women’s relay teams participating in 100m freestyle heats. Qualifying swimmers will return for semi-finals or finals starting at 19:00.
Boxing action occurs at the SEC Centre, where Louis Rooney faces Lesotho’s Mathealira Seholoholo in a men’s 55kg bantamweight round-of-32 bout at 11:45. Finally, gymnasts Rhys McClenaghan, Ewan McAteer, and Eamon Montgomery begin their qualification rounds at the Emirates Arena from 13:00.
