Irish swimming records tumble in Rome
Sunday, 26 July 2009 19:31
A number of Irish records were set today in the heats at the World Swimming Championships in Rome.
Dubliner Barry Murphy became the first Irish swimmer ever to break 50 seconds for the men's 100metres freestyle, clocking a time of 49.98 seconds in the lead-off leg of the men's relay.
The squad also broke the Irish record.
Meanwhile, there was also a fine swim by 16-year-old Grainne Murphy in the women's 200metres individual medley.
The New Ross swimmer, who recently won three gold medals at the Junior European Championships, set a time of 2 minutes, 13.64 seconds, which is significantly faster than the old Irish record of Michelle Smith when she won gold in 1996 Olympic Games.
Barry Murphy equalled Andrew Bree's Irish record of 1.01.76 in the 100metres breaststroke, while Ryan Harrison broke the Irish record for the 400metres freestyle.
Fiona Doyle also set a new Irish record of 56.5 seconds in the lead-off leg in the women's 4x100metres freestyle, while the squad cut six seconds off the Irish record.
