ELLEN WALSHE BROKE the Irish record as she claimed an incredible gold medal in the women’s 400m individual medley final at the European Aquatics Championships in Paris.
Her performance came shortly after Mona McSharry won a silver medal in the women’s 100m breaststroke final on a fantastic night for Irish swimming.
Walshe was in fifth place after the opening butterfly leg of the race. She maintained that position as she transitioned into the backstroke, and gradually moved up to third as she switched to the breaststroke.
The Templeogue star was in second and eventually took the lead after turning into the final stretch. The Irish crowd then came to life as she touched the wall for victory in 4:34.42.
Earlier, McSharry clocked a brilliant time of 1:05.41 as she secured a place on the podium from Lane 5.
Angharad Evans of Great Britain won gold as she set a new championship record time of 1:04.87.
This was Ireland’s first medal at the championships, as McSharry earned another major international medal in the French capital.
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“It’s amazing, I honestly don’t know if it’s really hit me yet,” a delighted McSharry told RTÉ Sport after the final.
“I think it was just like touching the wall and it just feels like I did another really good race. But I don’t think it’s sunk in yet that I’m going to on the podium. ”
Jack Kelly set a new Irish record of 2:09.23 to reach tomorrow’s final of the men’s 200m breaststroke after finishing fourth in the semi-final. Eoin Corby was also in action in that event for Ireland but did not advance to the final following his sixth-place finish in a time of 2:10.27.
“That was a great swim,” Kelly told RTÉ Sport. “It was a PB and I’m really excited for tomorrow. Those guys really pushed me. I don’t think I would have been that time without the speed that we saw.”
There was also good news for Danielle Hill this evening as she booked her place in the final of the women’s 50m backstroke. The defending European champion progressed after clocking 27.85 to finish the second semi-final in fifth place, and eighth overall.
Meanwhile, John Shortt finished in seventh place in the final of the men’s 200m backstroke.
Swimming in Lane 2, the European senior short-course champion and junior world champion touched the wall in 1:55.86 after a brave performance.
Up next for Ireland is Olympic champion Daniel Wiffen who will close out the evening in the men’s 800m freestyle final.
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Gold for Ellen Walshe as McSharry wins silver medal at European Aquatics Championships
ELLEN WALSHE BROKE the Irish record as she claimed an incredible gold medal in the women’s 400m individual medley final at the European Aquatics Championships in Paris.
Her performance came shortly after Mona McSharry won a silver medal in the women’s 100m breaststroke final on a fantastic night for Irish swimming.
Walshe was in fifth place after the opening butterfly leg of the race. She maintained that position as she transitioned into the backstroke, and gradually moved up to third as she switched to the breaststroke.
The Templeogue star was in second and eventually took the lead after turning into the final stretch. The Irish crowd then came to life as she touched the wall for victory in 4:34.42.
Earlier, McSharry clocked a brilliant time of 1:05.41 as she secured a place on the podium from Lane 5.
Angharad Evans of Great Britain won gold as she set a new championship record time of 1:04.87.
This was Ireland’s first medal at the championships, as McSharry earned another major international medal in the French capital.
“It’s amazing, I honestly don’t know if it’s really hit me yet,” a delighted McSharry told RTÉ Sport after the final.
“I think it was just like touching the wall and it just feels like I did another really good race. But I don’t think it’s sunk in yet that I’m going to on the podium. ”
Jack Kelly set a new Irish record of 2:09.23 to reach tomorrow’s final of the men’s 200m breaststroke after finishing fourth in the semi-final. Eoin Corby was also in action in that event for Ireland but did not advance to the final following his sixth-place finish in a time of 2:10.27.
“That was a great swim,” Kelly told RTÉ Sport. “It was a PB and I’m really excited for tomorrow. Those guys really pushed me. I don’t think I would have been that time without the speed that we saw.”
There was also good news for Danielle Hill this evening as she booked her place in the final of the women’s 50m backstroke. The defending European champion progressed after clocking 27.85 to finish the second semi-final in fifth place, and eighth overall.
Meanwhile, John Shortt finished in seventh place in the final of the men’s 200m backstroke.
Swimming in Lane 2, the European senior short-course champion and junior world champion touched the wall in 1:55.86 after a brave performance.
Up next for Ireland is Olympic champion Daniel Wiffen who will close out the evening in the men’s 800m freestyle final.
More to follow…
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Daniel wiffen danielle hill ellen walshe European Aquatics Championships in the water Irish Swimming John Shortt Mona McSharry Swimming