Gary Kelly and Adam McKeown captured a Commonwealth Games gold medal in the men’s pairs event, defeating England’s Nick Brett and Jamie Walker in a tense tiebreak finish. Northern Ireland took the opening set 6-2, but the English team rebounded to win the second set 4-2, forcing a decisive one-end shootout.
Kelly placed his final delivery close to the jack, and when Jamie Walker failed to better it, the Northern Irish pair clinched the victory. This win marks Northern Ireland’s third gold medal at the Glasgow Games, following successes in the heptathlon and boxing. For Gary Kelly, this victory represents his fourth Commonwealth medal, while it stands as a second gold for Adam McKeown, who previously won in the fours in 2022.
Reflecting on the achievement, Kelly expressed that the win was surreal and noted the pride he felt in contributing to the team’s success. McKeown shared similar sentiments, highlighting the hard work the duo invested to reach the final. Both athletes acknowledged the pressure of the match but remained composed when it mattered most, ultimately delivering a result that adds to Northern Ireland’s growing tally at the competition.
