Relay Record for Ireland at 2011 European Junior Swimming Championships
The Irish Boy's relay team of Conor Turner; Philip Duffy; Nicholas Quinn and Luke Campbell set a new Irish Junior Record today at the European Junior Swimming Championships in the 4 x 200m Freestyle today, finishing in a time of 7:54.08. The team finished in 14th place following the heats, which was won by the Polish quartet (7:28.53) so did not progress to the finals, but all four swam strongly to put in a fine performance.
Also in action today in Belgrade was Double Gold Medal winner Sycerika McMahon (Leander SC), who has qualified for another major European final, in the 200m Freestyle following today's heats and semi-final. McMahon, who was ranked first in the event coming into these championships, finished in semi-final in third place in a time of 2:02.32, and will be hoping to add to her medal haul in tomorrow evening's final. However it will be no easy task, as all eight finalists swam under 2:03.00. The current Championship record for this event is 1:59.19, set back in 2009.
Also today, McMahon swam in the 100m Butterfly, and qualified comfortably for the semi-final, but opted to withdraw to concentrate on the 200m Freestyle.
Jane Roberts (Kilkenny SC) had a stunning third day at these Championships, setting new personal best times in both the 50m Backstroke (31.53) and 200m Freestyle (2:08.82). Roberts has been in fine form this week and will hope to continue this in the 100m Backstroke tomorrow morning.
Nicholas Quinn (Castlebar SC) also set a new personal best time in the heats of the 50m Breaststroke, finishing in a time of 30.50. Peter Clarke (Limerick SC & HPC-UL) and Dan Sweeney (Sunday's Well SC) also competed in this event, but none progressed to the next stage. The heats were won by Greek Swimmer Panagiotis Samilidis in a time of 28.49.
National Performance Director, Peter Banks, commented on the performances of the Irish team. "We are now half way through this competition and it is great to see so many strong performances from the entire squad in Belgrade. The Irish boy's should be really proud and they continue to improve, setting new Records in both the relay events so far and swimming best times in their individual swims. Jane Roberts has really stepped up, swimming multiple personal bests. Sycerika McMahon is dominating in her events too, with the two medals so far a real bonus for the Irish Team."
Meanwhile, back in Ireland, the Irish Age Group Division 1 Championships got underway today (Friday) at the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin. Sixty two Irish Clubs have swimmers entered in the event, and a number of overseas teams have travelled to Ireland too, competing for national honours.
Several of the Irish National Team heading to the European Youth Olympic Festival in Trabzon, Turkey, will be competing this weekend, including Clodagh Flood (Tallaght SC & HPC-NAC); David O'Sullivan (Galway SC); Luke Fitzgibbon (New Ross) and Mary-Kate McDowell (Bangor SC), who won the 800m Freestyle today in her age group in a time of 9:36.98. The competition continues until Sunday.
Full Irish Results - Day 3
- Peter Clarke (Limerick SC & HPC-UL) M50BR 30.77
- Nicholas Quinn (Castlebar SC) M50BR 30.50 (PB)
- Sycerika McMahon (Leander SC) W200FR 2:02.82 (H) 2:02.32 (SF); W100BF 1:03.22
- Jane Roberts (Kilkenny SC) W50BK 31.53 (PB); W200FR 2:08.82 (PB)
- Dan Sweeney (Sundays Well SC) M50BR 31.49