Irish Swimmers seek European and World Qualification Times

Irish swimmers will take to the pool this weekend (Friday to Sunday) for the first National Competition of 2013. The Dave McCullagh Memorial Meet, which is taking place at the University Arena, Limerick, is the first chance of qualification for swimmers for European and World Championships coming up this Summer.

The FINA Swimming World Championships will take place in Barcelona in July and August 2013. The bi-annual event will see many of the 2012 Olympians from around the world compete at their first International event since the Games. Paralympic athletes will also be in action at Dave McCullagh as they seek qualification times for the IPC Swimming World Championships in Montreal in August. Junior swimmers will be hoping for a place on the squads travelling to the European Junior Swimming Championships in Poland and the European Youth Olympic Festival in the Netherlands whilst the World University Games will be held in Kazan, Russia in July. Swimmers will also be given the opportunity to qualify for the US Open which will be held in Irvine, California.

Big names in action this weekend are Olympians Sycerika McMahon and Barry Murphy, whilst Irish Record holders Bethany Carson and Brendan Hyland will also be in action.