Paralympic Swimmer James Scully Secures Bronze At IPC European Championships In Eindhoven

James Scully has secured Ireland's first medal on the opening day of competition at the IPC Paralympic Swimming European Championships in Eindhoven, Holland.

The 2013 World Championship Bronze medallist in the 200m Freestyle went into tonight's S5 100m Freestyle Final ranked third after swimming a lifetime best in the morning heats of 1:21.66. Despite the best efforts of Russia's Roman Zhdanov, it was the man from Ratoath, Co. Meath who held on to that position in the Final and collected the Bronze medal in 1:22.40.
Spain's Sebastian Rodriguez was the Gold medallist in 1:17.05 with Great Britain's Andrew Mullen picking up Silver in 1:18.44.

A delighted Scully commented after the race "I'm really happy, it wasn't the time I wanted but to secure a medal on the first day is brilliant, this is what it's all about. I'm going to concentrate on my main event now and am looking forward to the 200Free on Friday".

National Aquatic Centre club swimmer Ailbhe Kelly continued her good form in her senior international debut with another personal best in the S8 100m Backstroke Final. The fifteen year old who had swam a lifetime best of 1:29.40 in the heats bettered that time to 1:29.18 in the final to place fifth overall.

Killaloe's Jonathan McGrath made his first appearance of the championships in the S8 100m Backstroke Final. The 400m Freestyle specialist touched seventh overall in 1:17.48. McGrath, who swims at Swim Ireland's Performance Centre at UL Sport in Limerick will race his main event tomorrow.

Ailbhe Kelly will also be back in action tomorrow in the Women's S8 400m Freestyle Final.

Almost 400 swimmers from 37 countries are competing at these Championships. All heats and finals will be streamed live on www.paralympicsport.tv