The 2024 European Aquatics Championships reached the halfway mark with Irish swimmers showing no signs of slowing down as they continued to advance through the rounds on day four of competition.
The Women’s 200m Breaststroke served up exciting results for Ireland as both Ellie McCartney and Niamh Coyne secured places in this evening’s semi-final. McCartney swam a lifetime best of 2:28.63 to finish third in the heat and advance in fifth place overall.
Following the race, McCartney told Swim Ireland: “I’m really happy, third in the heat and it’s a personal best by almost a full second. I’m really surprised by that; morning swims aren’t really my thing so it’s good to be getting at it bright and early.”
Niamh Coyne, swimming in the same heat as McCartney, went 2:29.99 to finish fourth in the heat and tenth overall to join her Irish teammate in the semi-final.
Coyne said: “It was better than what I was expecting as normally I’m a bit slower in the heat. I’m happy with the time, I think that’s one of my fastest heat swims. It means a lot to be back wearing the Irish cap.
“I have had a bit of a rough couple of years, so to be back swimming on the international stage is a big deal.”
Conor Ferguson announced his arrival in Belgrade, clocking 25.55 to place an overall 12th in the 50m Backstroke. Ferguson will also return to the pool this evening for the semi-final.
Ferguson said: “It was a bit of a rough start, went down to the bottom and had to come back up quite quickly, I’ll fix that tonight and should be okay.
“With the Olympic relay still a potential, I’m still in a heavy block of training and fingers crossed we get through. I’ll have fun tonight, no pressure on performance, just step up and race.”
The Men’s 200m Freestyle event was a busy one for Ireland as National Centre Limerick’s Finn McGeever and Cormac Rynn headed to the pool with New Ross swimmer Evan Bailey.
Bailey, making his first individual appearance of the week, clocked the fastest time with 1:49.07 to place 21st.
Cormac Rynn, who was racing in his first-ever individual international event, swam 1:50.57 in 34th with McGeever coming in at 1:51.39 to place 37th, closing out his 2024 European Championships. Both Bailey and Rynn will return to the pool later in the week.
There is an exciting evening of racing ahead with Irish eyes firmly fixed on four events.
Danielle Hill heads into the on the 50m Backstroke (5.36pm) as top seed.
Eoin Corby is ranked fifth in the 200m Breaststroke Final at 6:12pm. Conor Ferguson’s 50m Backstroke semi-Final is set to get underway at 6.03pm while both Ellie McCartney and Niamh Coyne will swim in the same 200m Breaststroke Semi-Final at 6.12pm.