SWIMMING Lisa Cummins First Irish Swimmer to Complete 2-Way Channel Crossing

Lisa Cummins, a 26-year old University College Cork student from Blackrock, Co. Cork has become the first Irish woman ever to complete a two way crossing of the English Channel - and is now officially the 20th person ever in the world to do have done so.

Cummins started out her quest at 10.24am on Saturday 19th September, from Dover, England and finished on the south shore of Dungeness, England at approximately 9.44pm on Sunday 20th September. The total time it took the Cork woman to complete both crossings was 35 hours and 20 minutes - the longest recorded swim ever by an Irish swimmer.

Commenting upon her arrival into Cork airport this afternoon, Cummins said "It's only really sinking in now what I have achieved. It's been amazing and everyone has been so supportive. I'm delighted that I have finally done it!"

The Cork girl's training schedule has involved swimming over 100km per week in the open sea in Cork alongside her coach Eilis Burns, in addition to indoor pool training with Source Masters Swimming Club, at the Silver Springs Hotel in Cork.

16-year old Owen O'Keefe from Fermoy Swimming Club in Cork also made history when he became the youngest Irish swimmer ever to complete a single crossing of the English Channel. O'Keefe left Sapphire Hoe, near Dover, in the dark at 1.41am this Sunday morning and arrived 10 hours and 19 minutes later this afternoon at Cap Gris Nez in France.