Firth Wins 100m Backstroke Silver

Bethany Firth has picked up her second Silver medal on day three of the Paralympic Swimming World Championships in Montreal, Canada.

Firth, who had already won Silver in the 200m Freestyle on Monday claimed her second medal in the Final of the 100m Backstroke S14 touching in 1:07.41. 17 year old Firth from Seaforde County Down is the current Paralympic Champion in the event but was beaten to the World Championship title by Marlou van der Kirk of the Netherlands who swam a new World Record for the second time today claiming Gold in 1:06.70.Great Britain's Jessica-Jane Applegate was the Bronze medallist in 1:08.90.

Speaking after Firths Silver medal win Irelands National Paralympic Head Swim Coach Jim Laverty said "I'm delighted with Bethany's performance the Silver medal is a fantastic achievement. For a team of six to come out here and after three days have won Gold, two Silvers and a Bronze medal, it's more than we could have asked for, I'm looking forward to the rest of the week to see what we can do."

James Scully was also in Final action. The 200m Freestyle Bronze medal winner made it through to the 50m Backstroke Final in 8th position earlier today. However, the 19 year old from Meath was unable to better his time of 47.95 in the Final clocking 49.32 remaining 8th overall. Brazils Daniel Dias was the overall winner, with his second Gold medal of the Championships, in a time of 35.97.

"I'm pretty disappointed with the time, I lost momentum half way through the race" commented Scully afterwards "I haven't really done much Backstroke training this year but this wasn't the time I was hoping for. I'm staying positive though and looking forward to my remaining Freestyle events"

Scully still has the 50m and 100m Freestyle events to compete in this week.