McSharry Scorches New Irish Record in Canada; Finals for Wiffen and Ryan Will Close Out European Championships in Belgrade
McSharry Scorches New Irish Record in Canada; Finals for Wiffen and Ryan Will Close Out European Championships in Belgrade
Mona McSharry, competing in Canada yesterday, has broken her own 200m Breaststroke Irish Record in 2:22.49 in the heats, backing it up with a 2:22.68 in the final.
McSharry took two seconds off her 2:24.50 Irish Record from 2023 at the Mel Zajac International in Vancouver and is now ranked seventh in the World this year.
Already having achieved the Olympic Qualification Time in the 100m Breaststroke for Paris in Fukuoka in 2023, McSharry’s time is under the 200m Breaststroke OQT and so will give her the opportunity to swim the event at the Games.
Finals for Wiffen and Ryan Will Close Out European Championships in Belgrade
In Belgrade, there was one Irish swimmer in the pool on the final day of action at the 2024 European Aquatic Championships.
As the thunder and lightning from Saturday night passed, there was more settled conditions as swimmers headed to the blocks for the morning heats. Roscommon man Cormac Rynn, featuring the 400 Freestyle heat, was the sole Irish swimmer in action. The current Irish Junior Record holder in the event came home in 4:01.51 to bring his first international in an Irish cap to a close.
Speaking after the race, Rynn said: “It’s been fantastic, swimming in the heats with all the big lads, it’s something I never thought I’d be doing, it’s been a phenomenal experience. It fills me with pride, it’s such a great nation to be representing and I’m very proud of myself for getting where I am today.”
Attention now turns to one last night of racing as Shane Ryan and Nathan Wiffen take centre stage for their respective finals. Event organisers will keep a firm eye on weather radars with storms expected to roll in this evening.
Nathan Wiffen, who has had to wait a little longer than expected due to his Final being postponed from Saturday, will suit up once more for the newly revised 1500m Freestyle Final at 5:10pm. Shane Ryan will look to light up the pool straight after in the 50m Freestyle final at 5:30pm following his record-breaking performance on Saturday.
Walshe, Catterson and McCusker Progress to Finals in Rome
In Rome, Ellen Walshe, Victoria Catterson and Max McCusker all progressed from heats and will swim in the last finals session of the Sette Colli International with Daniel Wiffen.
Walshe, who won 400m Individual Medley gold on Saturday, was the best of the Irish swimmers advancing to the A Final of the 200m Individual Medley in 2:14.16. The Templeogue swimmer was second in her heat and ranks sixth for this evening’s final.
Catterson, swimming the 200m Backstroke, clocked 2:16.80 to finish 13th overall advancing to the B Final. McCusker won his 50m Butterfly heat in 24.18 and will also race the B Final.
Daniel Wiffen, who won bronze in the 800m Freestyle on Saturday, will compete in the fastest heat of the 1500m Freestyle.
Also, in action on Sunday morning, Erin Riordan touched in 28.88 in the 50m Freestyle.
Day 7 Results – European Aquatics Championships
Men 400 Freestyle Cormac Rynn – 4:01.51 (24)
Day 7 Schedule – European Aquatics Championships
Men 1500 Freestyle Final Nathan Wiffen (5:10pm)
Men 50 Freestyle Final Shane Ryan (5:30pm)
Day 3 Results – Sette Colli International
Women 50m Freestyle Erin Riordan – 26.88 (52)
Women 200m Backstroke Victoria Catterson – 2:16.80 (13) Q
Men 50m Butterfly Max McCusker 24.18 – (17) Q
Women 200m IM Ellen Walshe 2:14.16 (6) Q
Day 3 Schedule – Sette Colli International
Women 200m Backstroke Victoria Catterson 5.18pm
Men 50m Butterfly Max McCusker 5.26pm
Women 200m IM Ellen Walshe 6.59pm
Men 1500m Freestyle Daniel Wiffen 7.11pm
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