Murphy Qualifies for World Championships in Top Class Time

Ireland's Barry Murphy, who trains at Club Wolverine in Michigan in the USA has recorded a world class time in the 100 metres breaststroke yesterday evening, on day one of the Long Course Indianapolis Grand Prix Swim Meet (March 3-5) at the Indiana University Natatorium, Indianapolis.

Murphy's exciting time of 1.00.77 which won the event, earns him a place on the Irish Squad for this summer's World Swimming Championships in Shanghai, China (July 24th - 31st). Murphy will join Grainne Murphy who has also qualified for Shanghai. Should Murphy repeat his time from yesterday within the designated qualification period for the 2012 OIympic Games, he will be on course for selection to the Games.

In his sensational performance, the 25-year old Dubliner managed not only to beat American record holder Eric Shanteau, but also knocked reigning Olympic champion Kosuke Kitajima (2004, 2008) into 4th place.

Irish Swimmers Andrew Bree and Fiona Doyle are also racing in Indianapolis this weekend, both competed in their respective 100m breaststroke finals last night. Murphy is back in the water today, in the 50m freestyle while Bree heads for his favourite event, the 200m breaststroke. Doyle goes in the 200m breaststroke.

Heats commence at 14:00 Irish time (9:00 local) and finals start at 11:00 Irish time (18:00 local).

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