Team Ireland at the Double in Madeira
The medal success for Team Ireland showed no signs of slowing down at the 2024 European Para Swimming Championships as both Nicole Turner and Barry McClements’ bronze medals brought Ireland’s medal tally to four (one gold, one silver, two bronze) following three days of competition in Madeira.
Nicole Turner (NAC) was the first of the two to take to the podium following her bronze medal win in the 200 Medley SM6 Final. The Tokyo silver medallist competed against a strong field, including swimming sensation Maisie Summers-Newton and Irish teammate, Dearbhaile Brady. Turner put on a strong showing to touch the wall in third in a time of 3:15.89, adding a European bronze to her illustrious medal list. Swimming beside Turner in lane two was Irish teammate Dearbhaile Brady, the Limavady swimmer finishing fifth overall in 3:33.62.
Speaking after her final Nicole Turner said, “A medal at this time of year is the icing on the cake. I think the year of the games the Europeans is the final prep, we make mistakes we try new things and work on old things as well. Technically I felt a lot better than this morning, still the same time but to come out with a bronze medal just makes it a little bit better.”
Barry McClements showed incredible determination to finish on the podium in the 100 Butterfly S9 Final in 1:01.44. Swimming in the outside lane, the National Centre (Ulster) swimmer went stroke for stroke with German Malte Braunschweig and Italian Federico Morlacchi for silver and bronze. It was the German who pipped the silver medal, a mere 0.13 seconds ahead of McClements, who claimed third spot on the podium just 0.21 seconds ahead of the Italian.
“Yeah it’s a nice feeling.” said McClements
“I was probably a bit of an underdog but like I said this morning I’d go for a PB and I think that was close so I’m very happy.”
Earlier in the evening, Lisburn City swimmer Deaten Registe made his international debut for Team Ireland in the 100 Breaststroke SB14 Final. Registe, who is the newest member of the Para swim team, showed his potential finishing fourth in Europe; just 0.91 behind the bronze medal.
Today’s action will see Róisín Ní Riain return to the blocks while Ellen Keane is set to make her first appearance of the meet.
Para Swimming European Championships Day 3 Results
Deaten Registe – 100m Breaststroke Final / 01:09.38 / 4th Place
Nicole Turner – 200m IM Final / 03:15.89 / 3rd Place
Dearbhaile Brady – 200m IM Final / 03:33.62 / 5th Place
Barry McClements – 100m Butterfly Final / 01:01.44 / 3rd Place
Day 4 (April 24)
9:55: Róisín Ní Riain – 100m Backstroke Heat – (event 76)
11:16: Ellen Keane – 100m Freestyle Heat – (event 86)
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