Team Ireland Secure Five European Finals on Day Five

Following her European gold medal last night, Róisín Ní Riain was back on the blocks this morning for two events, competing in both the 200m Individual Medley (SM13) and 50m Freestyle (S13). Ní Riain was the first Irish swimmer in action, taking to the pool for the 200m Individual Medley. She progressed through the heat in controlled fashion, clocking 2:38.44 to advance in third place in an event in which she holds Paralympic, World and European bronze medals. Shortly afterwards, Ní Riain returned to the blocks for the 50m Freestyle (S13), posting a time of 28.72 to qualify as the fourth-fastest swimmer.

Speaking after both events, Ní Riain said: “I’m happy they were two solid heat swims just to get the job done. I’m happy to have gotten through in both, and now it’s about getting back, getting a bit of rest and resetting to hopefully give two good efforts tonight. The 200 IM was a really controlled swim, that was the aim. I didn’t want to exert more energy than I needed to this morning in that event because I’m still conscious that I’ll have to do it again tonight and then the 400m Freestyle tomorrow. It’s just about conserving energy where I can while still getting the job done.”

Double European silver medallist Dearbhaile Brady was back in action, competing in her first heat swim of the week in the 50m Freestyle (S6). The Derry native posted a solid 34.97 to secure the centre lane for tonight’s final.

Brady said: “I’m happy with that, I wanted to go into that heat quick. It’s the first heat I’ve done this week. For my 50s, I prefer a heat swim because I want to know what I can fix. In a 50, everything matters, from your start to how many breaths you take. I don’t know if that was a PB or anything, I just wanted to get in nice and quick. That was all, just wanted to be nice and quick and see what I can fix tonight.”

Emersyn Scully made it a hat-trick of European finals as she swam a new lifetime best of 2:45.08 in the 200m Individual Medley (SM13). The New Ross swimmer dropped just over two seconds from her previous best to advance to tonight’s final in eighth place.

Following the race, Scully said: “That felt so good, I’m so happy with that. It’s another personal best, it didn’t feel like it, I felt quite slow on the backstroke and breaststroke. It’s really nice to have another personal best. I’m really excited to see what the future holds.”

Síomha Nic Brádaigh also secured a third European final, this time in the 100m Freestyle (S7). The Lisburn swimmer will return to action tonight after posting a time of 1:23.43 to place seventh.

Nic Brádaigh said: “I think I went well in that. I don’t really swim the 100m Freestyle at major events, so that was my first time racing it at this level, and I think I did well. It was about getting in and getting after it from the start. My race was quite late last night, so I think I recovered well and then came in this morning and did the same preparation I do every day.”

Elodie Bateson produced a huge personal best in the 100m Freestyle (S11), clocking 1:30.49 to take more than eight seconds off her previous best of 1:39.28.

Speaking after the race, Bateson said: “Wow, I didn’t actually hear my time until now, wow! I was trying out a new technique, so it seems to have worked really well. I’m so happy. It’s been a long but very fun and enjoyable week, and I’m really glad I got to do this. Everyone has been so positive towards each other, and I’m really proud of everyone. My dad, my brother, and all my aunts and uncles are back home supporting me, and of course my mam is here too. It’s been amazing.”

Luke Brennan made his senior debut for Ireland at a major international competition, competing in the 50m Freestyle (S8). The Blackrock swimmer stormed through the water in 28.77 to set a new lifetime best, narrowly missing out on a place in the final. Brennan will return to action tomorrow in the 200m Individual Medley (SM8).

Brennan said: “I’m really happy. I wasn’t expecting to go that fast and I’m really pleased with the time. It’s almost a second off my PB, so I’m over the moon. Ever since the start of the week, seeing everyone else race and do so well, it’s really made me want to get out there and go fast. I couldn’t wait to race today, and I’m delighted with how it turned out. I’ve received so many messages from friends and family back home, and it’s great to be here competing on such a big stage.”