Ní Riain, Nic Brádaigh and Prenderville Join Brady for European Finals in Türkiye

Irish Para swimmers continued to impress at the 2026 World Para Swimming European Championships as Róisín Ní Riain, Síomha Nic Brádaigh, and Dylan Prenderville all advanced from their heat swims.

Following her European silver medal last night, Róisín Ní Riain was back in the water to compete in the 100m Backstroke (S13), an event in which the Limerick native has enjoyed consistent success. Ní Riain has won silver medals at both Paralympic and World Championship level and is the reigning European champion in the S13 class.

The National Centre Limerick swimmer got the job done this morning, posting a time of 1:01.85 to qualify for tonight’s final as the top-ranked swimmer.

Speaking after the race, Ní Riain said: “I’m happy with that swim, that’s exactly what I want to do this morning, it was give a good effort and make it back safely into tonight. It’s probably a nice way of doing things, I was obviously really happy with last night’s swim, but you just have to kind of park that, we can be happy with that at the end of the meet. We had a job to do this morning in heats to make it through, I’m happy I’ve done that. I had a good swim last, so that only can give me confidence now going into tonight and I just need to use that and hopefully we’ll get a good time tonight.”

Dylan Prenderville made his international debut for Ireland this morning and could not have asked for a better start. The UL Wolves swimmer stopped the clock in 41.31 to set a new lifetime best and qualify for his first European final.

The Clare man spoke following his morning swim: “It’s my first time here. It’s a great atmosphere and very energetic for my first race at this level. I’m happy with the swim. I controlled it to a point, but we can focus on the final later. My experience so far has been great craic. I got a lot of free stuff, so I can’t complain. My wardrobe is sorted for the next year. The team and atmosphere have been great.”

Síomha Nic Brádaigh returned to the pool this morning to compete in the 100m Backstroke (S7), clocking a time of 1:33.93, just outside her personal best of 1:33.53. The performance ranked her fifth overall and secured qualification for her second European final of the week.

Nic Brádaigh said: “I feel good. I think getting into the 200m IM two days ago was a bit of a freshener. Today was about getting in, getting at it, and having fun. It was good craic. I felt rested after having two days off, and training was good. I felt good going into it, and I’m buzzing for tonight.”

All three swimmers will join Dearbhaile Brady for the finals session. Brady heads into the 50m Butterfly (S6) with the fastest entry time and will be looking to reach the podium for the second consecutive night. Ní Riain will kick things off, with her final scheduled to get underway at 3:00pm (Irish time).