TEAM Ireland smashed the morning session at the European Aquatics championships, with nine athletes progressing in their heats on the second day of the competition
Magheralin man Nathan Wiffen set a new personal best of 7:54.60 in the 800m Freestyle, which saw him finish second in his heat and sixth overall.
This performance was more than enough to progress into the tomorrow evening’s final.
Following the swim, Wiffen said “I’m feeling very good, not going to lie it was tough with the heat coming out because the last call room is outside so everyone is trying to find the shade. I’m pretty happy with that, I got a personal best and into the final.”
“The first aim is to make the final, and as they say if you’ve got a lane, you’ve got a chance, so hopefully a medal,” he added.
In the women’s 100m Breaststroke, Niamh Coyne successfully qualified for this evening’s semi-final. She finished in a time of 1:09.06, which was 12th fastest overall.
Enniskillen native Ellie McCartney just narrowly missed out on a qualification place, finishing 19th overall in a time of 1:09.53.
However, McCartney bounced back to make this evening’s final in the Mixed 4x100 Medley Relay.
Joined by Lottie Cullen, Eoin Corby and Jack Cassin, the Irish team finished in a time of 3:56.11. This placed them fourth in their heat and eighth overall.
Speaking after the race, McCartney said: “It’s good, we’ve a good team to get through the heats and through to the final, so it’s a good moment. The freestyle isn’t my strongest, so I’m glad to step up for the team”.
In the 200m Backstroke, John Shortt finished his heat in third place in a time of 1:59.15. He finished eighth overall which progresses him to the semi-final this evening.
The Galway native said: “It was good, just trying to get a good swim into me this morning, the plan was to not go too hard or burst a gut in the heats. I want to be faster tonight and hopefully that will be enough to make it back tomorrow night.”
Shane Ryan will go through to the 100m Freestyle semi-final this evening, as he finished second in his heat. Ryan’s time of 48.69 was good enough for eighth overall.
Speaking following his morning swim Ryan said: “It was great racing, I didn’t expect too much but I focused on the process and do what I do best, it was good.
“I want to try make it into the next final, clean it up a bit more, it was a bit sloppy on the back 50 so it’s just trying to be more connected in the way home instead of throwing it.”
Rounding out the successful morning, Clare Cryan secured a place in this afternoon’s 1m Springboard Preliminary. She qualified 11th with 205.85 points.
Following the round, Cryan said: “I had good fun in the prelim this morning although it was certainly a bit of a nervous performance. I’ll come back this afternoon looking to sharpen up my dives and improve on my score.”
What are Irish athletes competing in later today?
Women’s 1m Springboard Final, 3.55pm Irish time
Men’s 100 Backstroke Final, 5.48 Irish time
Women’s 100m Breaststroke Semifinal 2, 5.58pm Irish time
Men’s 100m Freestyle Semifinal 1, 6.03pm Irish time
Men’s 200m Backstroke Semifinal 1, 6.19pm Irish time
Mixed 4 x 100m Medley Relay Final, 7.10pm Irish time
Where can I watch?
All the action can be watched online for free at www.eurovisionsport.com
