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Barry Murphy in action at the European Swimming Champinships this august. Andrea Staccioli/INPHO
Retirement

Olympian Barry Murphy decides to hang up his Speedos and goggles

The Irish swimmer has called it a day.

EUROPEAN BRONZE MEDALLIST Barry Murphy has announced his retirement from elite swimming saying that, while it was an arduous decision, he felt it was the “right time”.

The 29-year old picked up his bronze medal in the 50m breaststroke at the European Short Course Swimming Championships in Denmark in December 2013 and has taken the decision ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Murphy retires in possession of a dozen long and short course Irish records in freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly and relay.

In a statement released this morning, the Dubliner said:

“After much deliberation and an extensive time to reflect, I am happy to announce my retirement from International level swimming. It has been an arduous decision but at 29 years of age, I feel it is the right time.

“To represent the country I love, in a sport I have loved since I was eight years old fills me with an incredible amount of pride. When I set out on this path as a young sports fanatic, I could only have dreamed of having the career I was able to have, achieving the accolades I was able to achieve and embracing the opportunities I was able to pursue.

“Having competed at the Olympic Games in 2012, won a European Bronze medal and World Cup Bronze medal in 2013 and broken numerous Irish national swimming records I feel that it is time to move my attention to something new and hang up the speedos and goggles.”

Swim Ireland have paid tribute to Murphy with National Performance Director Peter Banks saying:

“I want to congratulate Barry on a great career having represented Ireland at every level of the sport. Barry has shown great commitment and dedication and has been a great ambassador for future athletes in our sport. I wish him well and hope he stays involved with Swim Ireland and our sport at some level.”

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