A THREE-STRONG Ireland team has almost completed its programme of events at the FINA World Championships, which began in Kazan in Russia last Sunday.
First up was Portaferry’s Sycerika McMahon who finished in 33rd place overall in the 4x50m individual medley in a time of 2:17.88. She was followed by Alex Murphy who was 28th fastest in the men’s 50m breaststroke in 0:28.00 seconds.
Fiona Doyle just failed to progress to the semi-final of her favourite discipline when she was 20th from 69 entrants in the 100m breaststroke in 1:07.83.
McMahon clocked 2:03.89 for 47th place in the 200m Freestyle and Murphy was 38th in the 100m breaststroke in 1:02.22.
None of the Irish swimmers are in action today and Doyle wraps up their involvement when she goes in the heats of the 200m breaststroke tomorrow.
Almost immediately after the end of these championships, a squad of 13 Irish swimmers are involved in the 16th FINA World Masters which are on at the same venue from August 5-16.
This is the first time that both championships have been held with one following immediately after the other, and this format is expected to continue for future World Championships.
The travelling party is: Amy Cadden, Andres Parada Nagashiro (25/29), Charlotte Reid, Eoin Foster (35/39), Adrian O’Connor, Karen Molloy (40/44), Deirdre Morris, Robert Frize (45/49), Peter Conway, Ger Thompson, Dymphna Morris (50/54) and Patricia Reilly, Vivian Mongey (55/59).
All of the entrants are real enthusiasts who enter this competition via their clubs and meet their own expenses, although Swim Ireland does come up with some gear.
There were around 2,500 taking part in the main championships and double that in the Masters, but there is confidence within this squad that there are medals to be won.
Patricia Reilly, Adrian O’Connor and Dymphna Morris have all had podium finishes at this and European level before and Deirdre Morris is highly ranked in the breaststroke events.
The banker for medals, however, could be the Aer Lingus relay squads which are packed with former international swimmers who cleaned up a couple of months ago at the ASA Championships in Manchester.
