Blistering Start for Ireland in Belgrade as Swimmers Advance at Europeans
ByEmma Porter |
Irish swimming has turned its focus to the 2024 European Aquatics Championships, which got underway this morning in Belgrade, Serbia. Just three weeks after the Irish Open and Olympic Trials, Irish swimmers showed excellent form on the opening morning with Max McCusker, Lottie Cullen, Eoin Corby and Darragh Greene advancing to semi-finals, while Ireland Men’s 4x200m Freestyle Relay will compete in this evening’s Final.
Evan Bailey (New Ross) joined the National Centre Limerick trio of Finn McGeever, Jack Cassin and Cormac Rynn to compete in the 4×200 Freestyle Relay. The Irish quartet, which included two senior international debuts from Cassin and Rynn, clocked a combined 7:18.71 to finish second in their heat and seventh overall to advance to the European Final.
Speaking following the race, Jack Cassin said, “It was good fun, it was a new experience for me it was my first 4×200, it was good to get out there especially in the warm weather in Serbia. It’s my first Europeans (senior), I did under-23s last year so it’s a bit of a step up, it’s nice, especially with an Irish team like this.”
Speaking on racing with the Irish relay team, Cassin added, “It’s good, it adds a lot of pressure, you always want to put your best foot forward, not just for you but for the team, you want to get a good position and make the final, it’s always good fun.”
Finn McGeever spoke on the exciting talent coming through Irish swimming, “I can’t stress how much I’m proud of the boys, to see them at their first Europeans dropping times like that is incredible, it’s a really bright future ahead for Irish swimming.”
Speaking on his individual performance, he added, “I’m happy enough, morning swims aren’t usually my strongpoint but that’s my quickest swim in three years, I’ve no doubt that’s because I had the three boys coming behind me, I knew they’d do something special.”
Ireland had three swimmers compete in the 100m Breaststroke with Darragh Greene quickest and advancing to the semi-final in 1:00.53 for eighth place overall. Eoin Corby ensured he would join Greene later this evening with a time of 1:01.39 finishing 17th overall.
Uiseann Cooke also took to the blocks in the same event, making his Irish senior international debut, and his first since the 2019 European Junior Championships. The Tuam man came home in 1:02.89 to finish 34th, Cooke will return on day three for the 200 Breaststroke.
Max McCusker was the first Irish swimmer on the blocks this morning competing in the 50m Butterfly Heats. The current senior record holder (23.44) swam one length of the Belgrade pool in a time of 23.72 to advance to this evening’s semi-final in 15th place.
Speaking following the race, McCusker said, “I feel good, it was an alright swim, not the best but I made it back for the second swim so that’s all that really matters right now. Just to make it back for that final, top eight is the goal now.”
Lottie Cullen donned an Irish swim cap on the international stage for the first time in the heats of the 200m Backstroke. The 19-year-old swam an impressive 2:16.95 to advance through to the semi-final this evening.
The action will continue this evening from 17:30 (IRL) with Irish swimmers featuring across four events.
Day 1 Morning Results:
Men 50 Butterfly: Max McCusker – 23.72 (15th), Q
Women 200 Backstroke: Lottie Cullen – 2:16.95 (16th), Q
