IRELAND’S BARRY MURPHY and Sycerika McMahon have been left to look forward to other events after today’s opening swimming heats of the FINA World Championships in Barcelona..
Murphy managed to set a new national record while finishing 18th overall in his 50 metre butterfly heat.
The time of 23.65 seconds broke his own record he set in June by almost half a second and matched the target he had set for himself entering this meet.
“The goal time coming in was 23.6 and to do it was great, I would have liked to get a semi-final but we’re at this level and everyone is swimming fast. This swim puts me in a good place for the 50 metre breaststroke in two days.”
McMahon, who was first out in the 200 metre individual medley, also clocked a new personal best of 2:14.38 – a time which placed her 18th overall and narrowly outside the times needed to advance to the semi-finals.
Hungary’s Katinka Hosszu led the field with a time 2:08.45. And after finishing strong on her favoured breaststroke and freestyle, the Co Down teenager was pleased with outing overall.
“I’m happy that I did a personal best, it being so close to a semi-final position though is a downside to it” commented McMahon “but I’ve still got the 100 Freestyle left so I’ll just go all out for that.”
Tomorrow morning will see Fiona Doyle line up in the 100 metre breaststroke – her first of three events this week and McMahon and Murphy will be back in action on Tuesday in the 200 metre freestyle and 50 metre breaststroke respectively.
