SWIMMING Barry Murphy Advances to World Championships Semi-Final

Dubliner Barry Murphy has qualified for this evening's semi-final of the men's 50m breaststroke at the World Swimming Championships in Rome today. Murphy's time of 27.26 was for a short time a Championship Record, until his record was lowered again in subsequent heats. His time is a new Irish Senior Record and 0.84 seconds faster than his previous best and Irish record.

Murphy is ranked 8th fastest after today's heat and he has become the first Irish swimmer ever to break a Championship Record at a World Championships event.

Other swimmers in action in the pool this morning were Andrew Bree 50m breaststroke who swam a personal best of 28.66, Clare Dawson 200m freestyle (2.02.46) and Niamh O'Sullivan 200m freestyle (2.02.72).

Ireland has established a total of 14 new Irish records at these Championships so far.

Men's 50m breaststroke semi-finals will commenece at approx 5.15pm Irish time today. The next correspondence will be this evening.

Issued on behalf of Swim Ireland, whose High Performance Programme is supported and funded by the Irish Sports Council.