Ireland's Ellen Keane Narrowly Misses out On Butterfly Bronze On Final Day Of Paralympic Swimming European Championships

Dubliner Ellen Keane has just missed out on a Bronze medal on the final day of competition at the Paralympic Swimming European Championships in Eindhoven. Swimming in the S9 100m Butterfly Final, Keane agonisingly missed out on a medal by just .18 of a second as Great Britain's Stephanie Millward edged the Irish athlete over the closing strokes to touch third in 1:12.17. Keane's time of 1:12.35 was however a season's best.

After the race a disappointed Keane commented: "I knew it would be a tough race, I knew it would be between four of us. I think I just got the timing wrong when I came to the wall; had I not taken another stroke I probably would have got Bronze. I was happy to swim a season's best though, the race felt good and I know I can improve going forward."

In an exciting race Spain's Sarai Gascon won her second Gold medal of the championships coming home in 1:10.47 while world champion Great Britain's Amy Marren was second in 1:11.09.

Keane, who completed her Leaving Cert a few weeks ago can be pleased with her performances this week in which she had three fourth place finishes and swam lifetime bests in the 200m Individual Medley and 50 Freestyle.

In this morning's other event for Ireland James Scully secured his place in the S5 50m Backstroke Final this evening (4.28pm). The double bronze medallist at these Championships qualified in seventh place from this morning's heats in 47.10 seconds. Great Britain's Andrew Mullen is the fastest qualifier in 39.10 seconds.

In tonight's final session of the Championships Scully will be joined by teenager Ailbhe Kelly who will compete in the Final of the S8 50m Freestyle (4.24pm).