Ireland’s swimmers had an impressive first morning in the pool at the European Games in Baku with two swimmers progressing to semi-finals.
Mona McSharry was first up in the heats of the 50m Breaststroke. 14 year old McSharry, competing at her first international championships, blazed through the swim clocking an impressive 32.84 and knocking almost a second off her previous best.
The time earned her a place in this afternoon’s semi-final where she is ranked 14th overall. A delighted McSharry spoke after the race “I’m really happy with the swim and delighted to make the semi-final. I’ve been working on my starts and it came together in the race. I’m looking forward to relaxing now and cheering on my teammates before this afternoon’s semi-final”.
Emma Reid qualified in 17th place for the 200m Butterfly Semi-Final. The Ards swimmer was just off her best touching in a time of 2 minutes 21.35 seconds. Holly Hibbott (2:12.07) and Amelia Clynes (2:13.15) of Great Britain claimed the top 2 spots in the event.
Today’s semi-finals will start with Mona McSharry in the 50m Breaststroke at 1.30pm (Ireland) and Emma Reid in the 200m Butterfly at 2:03pm (Ireland).
All 12 Irish swimmers were in action today, Benjamin Doyle won his heat in the 50m Butterfly posting a time of 25.77 while James Brown touched in 25.88 in the same event. Andrew Moore also won his heat, in the 200m Breaststroke, in 2:26.16.
Following qualification for the 50m Breaststroke semi-final Mona McSharry was back in the pool for the heats of the 100m Freestyle where she swam 1:00.51, Rachel Bethel and Issie Hayes also competed posting times of 58.72 and 59.14 respectively. Niamh Kilgallen was 9th in her 50m Breaststroke heat in 34.02 seconds.
Rory McEvoy and Alan Corby both swam the heats of the 100m Backstroke. McEvoy was 33rd overall in 58.20 seconds while Corby was 40th in 59.15. In the women’s 400m Individual Medley Katie Baguley hit the wall in 5 minutes 15.60 seconds, she will be back in action in the 400m Freestyle tomorrow.
Danielle Hill was the last Irish swimmer in competition this morning in the heats of the 200m Backstroke. Hill, of Larne Swimming Club, posted a time of 2:21.41 which was off her Irish Junior Record (2:17.95) placing her 21st overall.
Day 1 Results (Heats):
| W 50m Breaststroke – Mona McSharry 32.84 14th, Niamh Kilgallen 34.02 27thM 50m Butterfly – James Brown 25.88 46th, Benjamin Doyle 25.77 43rdW 100m Freestyle – Rachel Bethel 58.72 30th, Iseult Hayes 59.14 40th, Mona McSharry 1:00.51 58th
W 200m Butterfly – Emma Reid 2:21.35 17th M 100m Backstroke – Alan Corby 59.15 40th, Rory McEvoy 58.20 33rd W 400m IM – Katie Baguley 5:15.60 19th M 200m Breaststroke – Andrew Moore 2:26.16 30th W 200m Backstroke – Danielle Hill 2:21.41 21st
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Issued by Swim Ireland, whose athletes are supported and funded by the Irish Sports Council, Sport NI and the Olympic Council of Ireland.
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Media Contact: Trish Mayon Ph: +353 86 8094786
