SWIMMING Murphy Wins Second Medal at European Junior Swimming Championships

Sixteen-year old Grainne Murphy who took gold in the 400m Individual Medley at the European Junior Swimming Championships in Prague earlier this evening has won her second medal today, this time it was a bronze medal in the 1500m freestyle.

The New Ross native clocked a time of 16.35.93, swimming her way to a new Irish Junior and Senior Record.

Speaking after the race a triumphant Murphy said "everything went really well, my backstroke and breaststroke felt strong and I just feel that all my training has really paid off now."

Peter Banks, Swim Ireland's newly appointed High Performance Director commented "these are outstanding swims for Grainne. This re-enforces what Irish swimmers are capable of, given the right opportunities."

Murphy is based out of the Swim Ireland Limerick High Performance Centre, where she is coached by Ronald Claes. Claes was in Prague today to witness Murphy's performances. "Grainne is the kind of person who lives for this level of racing," said Claes. "She did everything right and everything she had to do, plus there have been no set backs or injuries in her training and preparations. Grainne is someone who can keep her head cool in these high pressured situations and that is a massive benefit and she showed that twice today. Her 400 Individual Medley was amazing and an hour later she went for it again in the 1500m freestyle."

"I had about an hour between races [400IM and 1500m freestyle], so I got to swim down and rest up a bit before my 1500m," explained a delighted Murphy. "And I didn't even know that it was a European Junior Championships record until I got to the medal podium!"


For further information contact:

Chantal Gibney, Swim Ireland
Ph: 086 3817933
Email: edo2@swimireland.ie