Alex Murphy and Mona McSharry got Ireland’s 2017 European Short Course Swimming Championships campaign off to a fine start in Copenhagen on Wednesday, as they both advanced to the semi-finals of the 50m breaststroke.
This, alongside a new Irish senior record from Jordan Sloan were the highlights of the first morning of action.
Touching in 26.66 in the 50m Breaststroke, Murphy, who trains at the National Centre (Dublin), goes into the semi-final in 14th place. Italy’s Fabio Scozzoli set a new Championship Record of 25.90 in the event to claim the top seed for the semi-final.
After a tremendous final year at junior level, Mona McSharry stepped up to senior level by making her first senior international semi-final in the 50m breaststroke. McSharry, who is European junior champion in the event clocked in 30.80 to progress. The 17-year-old holds the Irish Senior Record in the event in 30.19 seconds.
The 50m Breaststroke semis will take place from 4.0pm (Irish time) with Murphy up first followed by McSharry. The top eight in each will progress to Wednesday night’s Finals at 5.13pm (Irish time).
Jordan Sloan’s new Irish senior record came in the 400m Freestyle. Sloan touched 10th overall with an impressive time of 3:43.21, breaking his own record set at the World SC Swimming Championships in 2016.
Day 1 Heats: Results (Wednesday 13th December)
100m Butterfly Conor Brines H 52.97
Brendan Hyland H 52.20
50m Breaststroke Mona McSharry H 30.80 (16th)
50m Breaststroke Alex Murphy H 26.66 (14th)
Darragh Greene H 27.65
Nicholas Quinn H 28.44
400m Freestyle Jordan Sloan H 3:43.21 ISR
100m Backstroke Danielle Hill H 1:02.46
200m Backstroke Conor Ferguson H 1:55.84
Day 1 Semi Finals/Finals Schedule
50m Breaststroke Alex Murphy 4pm
50m Breaststroke Mona McSharry 4.08pm
