MONA MCSHARRY HAS won her third gold medal at the European U23 Swimming Championships, adding the 200m breaststroke to the 50m and 100m breaststroke titles she won in recent days.
The Sligo native surged to victory in a time of 2:25.49 at the Sport Ireland National Aquatic Centre, while Ellen Walshe narrowly missed out on bronze medal by just .38 of a second in the 50m Butterfly and Grace Hodgins finished off her campaign with a swim of 17:16.86 to finish 11th in the 1500m Freestyle.
“Just unbelievable,” McSharry said after her achievement.
“I mean the crowd has been awesome every night and it was just super loud, I think that really pushed me and I just said that I have to do it for them, it was just amazing. It’s really tough, even having the mental strength to go out and fast and get to that level of burn and really, I was just pushed on by them (the crowd).
“I think it’s so different to seeing it in person compared to online, it’s great for young kids and athletes in Ireland to be able to watch this and see what they could get to.”
Daniel Wiffen secured a silver medal in the 800m Freestyle, completing his race in a time of 7:45.59. He finished just behind the winner Sven Schwartz of Germany, who is the European Short course champion, taking gold in 7:41.77.
“I’m already sure to be honest, I came into that race, and I gave everything,” said Wiffen.
“So, I’m very happy and, I mean I’ve had amazing year. I’ve achieved loads of pbs. I’ve definitely put myself in the question for medals next year. I mean, it’s just been very successful and I’m very happy. I mean, it’s not nice to come in second, but I’m going to take a medal because, maybe disappointed in the long run but overall getting a medal in front of this crowd is amazing and I’m just very happy.
“We’ve had one of the best meets ever in terms of Irish history and it was amazing to get Gold the first night, and two silvers, I’m not sure if we’re still on the top medal table, but we’re definitely up there and it’s great to put Ireland on the map.”
Maria Godden, who was competing in her third final at the championships, clocked a time 2:14.77 in the 200m Backstroke, leaving her just .79 of a second behind European bronze to take fifth.
𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗣𝗟𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣!#LENDublin2023 pic.twitter.com/L5h1b6VEc4
— Swim Ireland (@swimireland) August 13, 2023
🥈 𝗠𝗘𝗗𝗔𝗟 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧 🥈
— Swim Ireland (@swimireland) August 13, 2023
Another incredible race involving Daniel Wiffen, who claims another U23 European medal in Dublin!
Wiffen touched in 7:45.59 to bag silver in the 800 Freestyle Final, bringing #Dublin2023 to a close for #TeamIreland
What a week for Irish swimming! pic.twitter.com/zfnt2LNC4d
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