Bryan McAuley became the latest Irish surfer to reach the semi-finals at the World Surfing Games in Lisbon, Portugal, yesterday with an excellent performance in the men's Bodyboard.

The Ballymoney surfer held the lead after the first two rides and although Danial Rocha of Brazil took the top spot on his last attempt, McAuley had done enough to secure the runner-up position and his place today's semi-final.

Tania Ward joins him in the woman's Bodyboard semi-final after her efforts earlier in the week while Andrew Byrne of Tramore competes in the quarter-final of the Kneeboard. The junior pairing of Brendan Gannon and Ronan Breen had less luck in their Longboard quarter finals and failed to advance to the next stage.

The Irish team's performance has also guaranteed their invitation to the World Bodyboard Surfing Championships in Hawaii next summer, limited to the top 12 nations in that category.