Ní Riain and Brady Complete European Medal Hat Tricks in Kocaeli

Ireland’s medal haul continued to grow on day five of the World Para Swimming European Championships, with Róisín Ní Riain and Dearbhaile Brady each securing silver medals in Kocaeli.

Róisín Ní Riain secured her third European medal of the week and Ireland’s fifth as she powered to silver in the 200m Individual Medley final (SM13). The Limerick native produced another outstanding performance, leading the field heading into the final 50m after going stroke for stroke with Italy’s Carlotta Gilli through the opening three lengths. Ní Riain fought all the way to the wall, stopping the clock at 2:28.15 to claim the European silver medal, adding to the gold and silver she had already won this week.

Speaking after the 200m IM final, Ní Riain said: “That hurt so much at the end. I must have left it all out there until the 150m because I had absolutely nothing on that last 50m, but I gave it my best. That’s my first 200m IM of the year, so to put down a time which I think might be my second fastest ever, I can’t be anything but happy. I’m a real competitor; I love to get out there and have a good race. I said to my coach when I was doing the entries that I wanted to get in some good scraps and races. That was the thought process behind entering so many races this week. It brings out the best in me.”

Two hours later, the National Centre (Limerick) swimmer was back on the blocks to race one length of the pool in the 50m Freestyle final (S13). Ní Riain stopped the clock in 28.49 to finish fourth, just over half a second off the podium.

Speaking after the race, Ní Riain said: “No one likes to finish fourth, but it was a good race. I improved on this morning and that was the goal. Two hours ago, I was hurting probably more than I ever have from a race before. So, it’s nice to know that I was still able to turn it around and get something decent out of it. I really like the busy schedule, to be honest. I think that was probably the best way for me to get over the pain from the 200m IM. I got to enjoy the medal presentation and then warm up again for this race. So, you know, it makes me look forward to tomorrow.”

Competing in the 50m Freestyle final (S6), Dearbhaile Brady made it a hat-trick of silver medals tonight, storming home in a time of 35.48. Brady served up an epic battle with Swiss competitor Nora Meister, with both leading the field from the off. On the touch, Brady finished just 0.22 seconds behind Meister to secure the silver medal for Ireland.

The National Centre (Dublin) swimmer said: “I feel tired. I tried to give it my all, but you know what? I’m not going to complain with a silver tonight. I really gave it what I could tonight. I gave it everything. I was the fastest this morning, and I said if I could do it again, or be close, I’d be happy, medal or no medal.”

Emersyn Scully brought her campaign to a close in typical fashion, setting a new personal best in the 200m Individual Medley (SM14) and finishing eighth in tonight’s final. Her time of 2:44.30 was her sixth personal best across three events, all of which she reached the European final in.

Speaking after tonight’s race, Scully said: “I’m so surprised at how good that was. I was really tired going into tonight, so that’s actually a really good way to end the competition with another PB. I’m so happy with how the week went and to set so many PBs.”

Síomha Nic Brádaigh closed out her week with a third European final, this time in the 100m Freestyle (S7). The Lisburn swimmer clocked a time of 1:23.60 to finish seventh overall.

Speaking in the mixed zone, she said: “I’m happy with that. I went out there this morning and tried to do my best, and then to go in tonight and go a wee bit quicker was brilliant. I’m delighted with that. I think this meet for me was all about small achievements, and to even be here right now is a massive achievement, so little wins make a big difference. I think tonight really topped it all off for me. I think we, as a team, all work very well off each other. We’re quite a close-knit group, and it’s brilliant to see the younger ones coming through.”

Róisín Ní Riain, Dearbhaile Brady and Luke Brennan will return to action tomorrow, while Ellie Lynch and Luke O’Donoghue will make their long-awaited senior international debuts.