Strong Performances in Madrid for Irelands Top Swimmers (Swimming)

Two of Ireland's top youth swimmers, Shani Stallard and Peter Clarke both had successful campaigns this past weekend at the Spanish National Championships in Madrid, Spain with Stallard achieving her qualification cut for this Summer's World Junior Swimming Championships (200m breaststroke) and Clarke going inside the qualification standard for the European Junior Championships in July (200m breaststroke).

Seventeen year-old Stallard, from New Ross but training full time at Swim Ireland's University of Limerick High Performance Centre sliced a total of 2.3 seconds off her previous personal best - to finish in a reputable 3rd place overall (2.31.33).

Her teammate Clarke (17) who was joined in Madrid by coach Ronald Claes, also had success in his premiere event, winning the 'B' final of the 200m breaststroke in a new personal best time of 2.19.81. Clarke will be joined at the European Juniors in Belgrade, Serbia (6-10 July) by Sycerika McMahon, Dan Sweeney and Conor Turner. While Stallard is the first Irish swimmer so far to qualify for the World Junior Swimming Championships which take place in Lima, Peru (16-21 August).

This weekend Swim Ireland play host to Internationally renowned swimming coach and inspirational speaker Bill Sweetenham. The Australian native who is one of the most respected swimming coaches in the world, having coached swimmers to Olympic and Commonwealth success for Britain and Australia, will deliver a presentation for coaches and tutors on the evening of Friday 8th April in Sport HQ. Sweetenham will also guest- coach at Swim Ireland's National Youth Development Squad training camp on Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th April in the National Aquatic Centre. All coaches are welcome to attend.