Records fall in Abbottstown
Saturday, 21 November 2009The records came tumbling down on day three of the National Short Course Swimming Championships at the NAC in Abbottstown, writes RTÉ Sport's John Kenny.
There was a double gold medal winning display from 14-year-old Sycerika McMahon, while 2008 Olympian Aisling Cooney set a new national senior record.
McMahon, who swims out of the Leander Club in Belfast, brought her gold medal tally to four at these Championships.
McMahon won the women's 100 metres freestyle final in 56.10, just ahead of 15-year-old Shauna O'Brien of Waterford who had a time of 56.71.
Less than 15 minutes later McMahon was back in the pool taking gold in the 200 meters individual medley final, over 4 seconds clear of Alison Todd, with Shai Stallard third.
Aisling Cooney set a new national senior record in the final of the 50 meters backstroke with a time of 28.37, cutting 0.26 of a second off her own 2008 time. Niamh McDonnell of the Aer Lingus Club finished in second place with a time of 29.52.
Cooney also competed in the 100 metres backstroke semi-finals, and progressed with ease from heat two with a time of 1:00.25.
In the men's events, Conor Leaney claimed victory in the 100 metres freestyle in a time of 49.08 seconds, with Craig Meek coming home second.
The triumph earned Leaney his second hold of these championships, who won the 400 freestyle on Thursday.
Leaney also qualified for tomorrow's 50 metres freestyle final winning his semi-final in a time of 22.96.
Sean Leahy was a very impressive winner in the men's 200 metres individual medley final with a time of 2:03.26 with Joe Murphy over 3.5 seconds further back in second place.
Colm Dowling of Waterford Crystal won the 50 metres backstroke with a time of 25.77, while Philip Duffy finished in an impressed time of 55.48 on his way to victory in the men's 100 metres butterfly ahead of Eoin Gray
