Records Tumble As Ireland Win Gold In Canada On Day 1

Conor Ferguson and Antoinette Neamt. Two names we have heard quite a bit in the past week and two names we will hopefully hear a lot of for quite some time to come. Larne swimmer Ferguson and Tallaght's Neamt led Swim Ireland's International Youth Squad to a winning start on Day 1 of 2014 Canadian Championships.

In the morning heats 14 year old Conor broke the Irish Junior Record for the 200m Backstroke in a time of 2.05.37. Not content with his time in the morning, Conor was back in the pool Wednesday evening for the 200m Backstroke to break his Irish Junior Record going 2.05.25 and picking up Ireland's first Gold Medal of the International Meet.

Antoinette added Ireland's second Gold Medal of the meet as a 9 second Personal Best in the Girls 1500m Freestyle in a phenomenal time of 16.41.67. At just 13 years of age it is even more impressive that, that time leaves Antoinette just seconds outside the Qualifying Time for 2015 Senior World Championships.

The medals didn't stop there on Day 1 as Athlone's Robbie Powell continued his good form from last week's Irish Age Groups to take bronze in the 15&U 100m Butterfly event with a 59.62. Also picking up a bronze medal was 13 year old Mona McSharry from Marlins SC, with a time of 34.55 in the 50m Breaststroke.

Cadadian Age Group Championships continue today (Thursday) and through to 28th July. Thursday events include 100m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 400IM and the 4x200m Freestyle Relay.