News

Irish swimming fans were treated to a host of new Irish Senior Records on the second day of the Irish Open Swimming Championships; Jack Cassin, Mona McSharry and Tom Fannon all set new standards at the Sport Ireland National Aquatic Centre.

Tokyo Olympian McSharry lowered her own Irish 100m Breaststroke Record of 1:06.29, clocking 1:06.04 and secured an ‘A’ time for the World Aquatics Championships in Japan in July. The 22-year-olds time is the second fastest in the world so far this year, only the Netherlands Tes Schouten is faster in 1:05.92.

This evening’s 100m Breaststroke Final also saw consideration times met for Ellie McCartney (1:09.65) for the European Under 23 Championships, European Junior Championships and Commonwealth Youth Games, and for Ava Jones (1:11.96) and Niamh Connery (1:13.20) for the European Youth Olympic Festival.

This morning, Tom Fannon set his first Irish Senior Record in the 50m Freestyle and became the first Irishman under 22 seconds in 21.95, the seventh fastest time in the World this year. The previous record of 22.14 was held by Barry Murphy, set at the super-suited 2009 World Championships in Rome. Fannon set the time as a split in the 100m Freestyle heats, ultimately finishing outside of the finals spots. The 25-year-old will go again in the 50m Freestyle on Wednesday and a repeat performance will see him considered for the World Championships in Japan.

18-year-old Jack Cassin was another to set a first Irish Senior Record, in the Men’s 400m Individual Medley Final. Cassin touched in 4:22.57, breaking Cadan McCarthy’s 2021 record of 4:23.22. The National Centre Limerick swimmer also broke the Irish Junior Record in the event as well as going under the consideration time for the European Under 23 Championships.

National Centre Limerick team-mates John Shortt and Maria Godden were impressive in taking the National Titles in the Men’s and Women’s 200m Backstroke. Shortt became only the second Irish swimmer to break the 2-minute mark in the event, clocking 1:59.23. The 16-year-olds time is enough to see him considered for the World Championships, European Under 23 Championships, European Junior Championships and European Youth Olympic Festival. Godden swam a personal best of 2:12.61 to claim gold and will be considered for the European U23 Championships.

Dolphin’s Max McCusker completed an impressive double this evening, winning National Titles in both the 100m Freestyle and 50m Butterfly. In the Freestyle Final McCusker clocked 49.78 ahead of NAC’s Matthew Walsh Hussey (50.67) and National Centre Dublin’s Robbie Powell (50.92). In fourth place New Ross’ Evan Bailey secured consideration times for the European U23 Championships and European Junior Championships.

In the 50m Butterfly, McCusker was the only swimmer under 24 seconds in 23.97, Evan Bailey (24.79) and Lisburn’s Dyland Registe (25.06) completed the podium.

The Women’s 1500m Freestyle Final saw an exact replica of yesterday’s 400m Freestyle podium with Trojan’s Grace Hodgins winning her second National Title. Hodgins cruised to victory in 17:01.22 ahead of her team-mate Rebekah Friel (17:44.06) and National Centre Limerick’s Ella Carroll (17:57.07).

Competition continues tomorrow through to Wednesday.

Day 2

Men 200m Backstroke Finals: 1^st John Shortt National Centre Limerick 1:59.23 2^nd Brandon Biss Swim Belfast 2:03.60 3^rd Brydan Byrne Bangor 2:06.25

Women 200m Backstroke Final: 1^st Maria Godden National Centre Limerick 2:12.61 2^nd Lottie Cullen Swim Belfast 2:18.16 3^rd Danielle Hill Larne 2:20.72

Men 400m IM Final: 1^st Jack Cassin National Centre Limerick 4:22.57 ISR/IJR 2^nd Cadan McCarthy National Centre Limerick 4:27.24 3^rd Liam Custer Sundays Well 4:32.28

Women 100m Breaststroke Final: 1^st Mona McSharry Marlins 1:06.04 ISR 2^nd Niamh Coyne National Centre Dublin 1:08.62 3^rd Ellie McCartney National Centre Ulster 1:09.65

Men 100m Freestyle Final: 1^st Max McCusker Dolphin 49.78 2^nd Matthew Walsh Hussey NAC 50.67 3^rd Robbie Powell National Centre Dublin 50.92

Women 1500m Freestyle Final: 1^st Grace Hodgins 17:01.22 2^nd Rebekah Friel Trojan 17:44.06 3^rd Madison Emment 17:53.91 Commemorative 3^rd Ella Carroll National Centre Limerick 17:57.07.

Men 50m Butterfly Final: 1^st Max McCusker Dolphin 23.97 2^nd Evan Bailey New Ross 24.79 3^rd Dylan Registe Lisburn 25.06