Ellen Keane Wins Bronze to bring Ireland's Medal Tally to Five in Canada

Ellen Keane has brought Ireland's medal tally to five at the Paralympic Swimming World Championship in Canada following a fantastic swim in the 100m Breaststroke SB8 Final to claim Bronze.

Keane, who has been swimming competitively since the age of 13 picked up her first major medal on day four of the Championships meaning Ireland have won medals on every day of competition in Montreal so far.

Swimming in Lane 5 the 18 year old had a great start turning in 4th after 50 metres just .01 of a second behind Canada's Katarina Roxon, Keane then pushed hard for the last 50 metres past Roxon, ensuring her the Bronze medal in a season's best of 1:23.74 and knocking 1.35 seconds off her heat time of 1:25.09.

"I can't believe it, I was a bit worried when I was swimming because I knew the British girl next to me had swum a 1:25 in the heats too but when I turned I saw she was behind and thought just go for it, I was getting tired but I just kept going" commented a delighted Keane after the race "I'm so happy, I just don't think I can describe how it feels".

Paralympic Champion and World Record holder Olesya Vladykina from Russia was the Gold medallist in 1:18.40 while Great Britain's Claire Cashmore was second in 1:21.23.

Following two sixth place finishes and now a Bronze medal, Ellen will swim one more event on Saturday when she takes to the pool for the heats of the 100m Butterfly.

Bethany Firth will be the only Irish swimmer in action tomorrow. Firth, who has already won two Silver medals at these Championships, will swim in the heats of the 100m Breaststroke S14 at 4.10pm (Irish time).