Three fantastic Personal Best times from Dubliner Ailbhe Kelly, 14-year-old Barry McClements and Laois swimmer Nicole Turner today have rounded off another hugely successful day for the Irish swim team on Day 5 of the IPC European Open Swim Championships.
Turner – who has secured two silver European medals already this week – was first to hit the water for Ireland in the finals this evening, competing in the Women’s 50m Freestyle S6. She booked her spot in the race following a swim of 37.03 in the heats, and went on to secure her Personal Best with a 36.27 swim in the final.
“I was a bit disappointed after the heat this morning, my dive wasn’t the best, but this evening just went to plan. It’s hard to judge a 50m – it’s either going to go really good for you or really bad for you so I’m delighted.”
Ailbhe Kelly also emerged from the pool beaming this evening, after she swam a Personal Best time of 1.26.97 in the final of the Women’s 100m Backstroke S8.
“I’m really happy – I’ve been hitting 1.27’s for over a year now, I didn’t want to come away from here without a 1.26 and I just slipped under it [the 1.27 mark] so I’m really, really happy.”
Also in the finals for Ireland this evening was Jonathan McGrath, who swam home in a time of 1.19.40 in the 100m Backstroke S8.
Speaking afterwards he said: “I’m pretty tired now, the last few days have been difficult since the 400m Freestyle, but I haven’t given up – I’ve kept fighting and fighting. The times may not be great, but I’m really, really trying.
“I’ve the 50m Freestyle on the last day, so it’s a nice way to finish up. I’d just like to thank everyone for all their messages of support over the last few days – it means a lot.”
Earlier on in the day, 14-year-old Barry McClements also secured a fantastic new Personal Best time in the Men’s 100m Freestyle S9 heat in a time of 1.03.70.
You can watch a live stream of the finals here, keep up to date with the action on our Twitter account here, and hear our interviews with the athletes here.
The Irish swim team is proudly sponsored by Allianz,, an official sponsor of Paralympics Ireland.
