Barry Murphy advances to 50m Breaststroke Semi-Final at World Championships

Ireland's Barry Murphy is through to the semi-finals of the 50m Breaststroke at the World Swimming Championships in Barcelona, Spain.

Murphy swam a season's best time of 27.52 in this mornings fastest heat at the Palau Sant Jordi, finishing 6th and securing a spot in the semi-final that will take place at 5.18pm this afternoon.

The Dubliner was pleased with his performance but feels there are areas he can improve on for the semi-final "The race went ok, I missed some executions I wanted to get" commented Murphy " It's good to get the second swim this evening, but there's a lot I can work on before the semi-final with Peter Banks to get faster, I think it's going to take a 27 low to make top 8 and that's what I'll be aiming for tonight."

The 27 year old is the current Irish Record Holder in the 50m Breaststroke with a time of 27.26, which he set at the World Swimming Championships in Rome in 2009.

South Africa's Cameron Van Der Berg was the fastest qualifier in this morning's heats session in 26.78. The Olympic Gold medallist has already won Silver in the 100m Breaststroke at this Championship.