Despite a number of personal best swims from Irish swimmers at the European Games in Baku, there was no progression to the Finals on day four of the competition in the Azeri capital.
Danielle Hill was the highest placed Irish swimmer this morning as she finished 21st overall in the 100m Backstroke, she missed out on a place in the semi-final by just .6 of a second. Hill was over a second off her Irish junior record time of 1:03.72 touching in 1:05.49. Issie Hayes was also off her best time in the event touching in 1:06.18.
Rory McEvoy was also six tenths of a second off a semi-final place in the heats of the 50m Backstroke, he swam a time of 27.34 seconds while Alan Corby (27.43) also competed.
James Brown swam a personal best time in the heats of the 100m Butterfly clocking 56.33 seconds, Brown was the fastest of three Irish swimmers placing 32nd overall. Alan Corby was fifth in his heat in 57.91 seconds and Benjamin Doyle was disqualified having touched first in his heat.
In the men’s 100m Breaststroke Andrew Moore swam a lifetime best 1:07.51 while in the women’s event Mona McSharry (1:13.20) and Niamh Kilgallen (1:14.03) could not match their best times placing 22nd and 26th.
Hill, Hayes (27.69), McSharry (27.59) and Rachel Bethel (27.51) all competed in the heats of the 50m Freestyle with Hill the best of the Irish in 27.25 seconds.
Tomorrow will see six Irish swimmers and a relay compete in the final day of competition at the European Games. 100m and 200m Butterfly semi-finalist Emma Reid will swim in the heats of the 50m Butterfly with Danielle Hill and Niamh Kilgallen while James Brown, Andrew Moore and Benjamin Doyle all compete in the 400m Individual Medley. Finally, the Ireland Men’s 4x100m Medley Relay will look to replicate the success of the Irish Women, who finished 6th in their Final yesterday.
Day 4 Heat Results
W 50m Freestyle Danielle Hill 27.25 32nd, Rachel Bethel 27.51 40th, Mona McSharry 27.59 45th,
Issie Hayes 27.69 47th
M 50m Backstroke Rory McEvoy 27.34 27th, Alan Corby 27.43 28th
W 100m Backstroke Danielle Hill 1:05.49 21st, Issie Hayes 1:06.18 25th
M 100m Butterfly James Brown 56.33 32nd, Alan Corby 57.91 48th, Benjamin Doyle DQ
W 100m Breaststroke Mona McSharry 1:13.20 22nd, Niamh Kilgallen 1:14.03 26th
M 100m Breaststroke Andrew Moore 1:07.51 36th
Day 5 Heats Schedule
W 50m Butterfly Danielle Hill, Niamh Kilgallen, Emma Reid
M 400m IM James Brown, Benjamin Doyle, Andrew Moore
M 4x100m Medley Ireland
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
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