Ellen Walshe Through To Butterfly Final In Irish Record

Ireland's swimmers continued their fantastic form at the European Youth Olympic Games in Tbilisi today with Dubliner's Niamh Coyne and Ellen Walshe both in Finals action.

Walshe has advanced to the 100m Butterfly Final after an outstanding display in the semi-final. The Templeogue SC swimmer held the top ranking from the morning heats as she progressed to the semi-final in a new personal best of 1:02.04. She went on to smash that time in a new Irish Junior Record of 1:01.72, taking two tenths of a second off the previous time of 1:01.97 set by Emma Reid at the European Games in Baku last month.

The 13 year olds time was over half a second quicker than her closest rival in tomorrow's Final Petra Barocsai (1:02.38) of Hungary.

In the girl's 100m Breaststroke Final Niamh Coyne swam another lifetime best to place 5th overall. The Tallaght swimmer clocked 1:12.70, an improvement of .05 on yesterday's semi-final swim where she was 6th in 1:12.75. Hannah Brunzell of Sweden won the Gold medal in the event in 1:10.66.

Coyne returns to the pool tomorrow with Emma Moloney for the 200m Breaststroke heats.

Also in action today, Rebecca Reid swam a one second personal best in the 100m Butterfly heats clocking 1:05.59, Robert Powell touched in 55 seconds in the 100m Freestyle and 400m Freestyle relay team of Jack McMillan, Robert Powell, Rebecca Reid and Antoinette Neamt combined for a time of 3:48.61.

Competition closes tomorrow with all Irish swimmers competing. 100m Backstroke silver medallist Conor Ferguson will be in contention for another medal in the 200m Backstroke where he is ranked third, Rebecca Reid will swim the 200m Freestyle while Jack McMillan and Robbie Powell compete in the 1500m Freestyle and 200m Butterfly respectively. Finally, Ireland's girls will combine for the 400m Medley Relay and will be hopeful of a Final considering their form to date.