Grainne Murphy reaches 400 metres final

By John Kenny

Grainne Murphy has qualified for the final of the women’s 400 metres freestyle at the European Short Course Swimming championships in Sczezen in Poland.

However, Melanie Nocher, who was ahead of Murphy in qualifying, has pulled out of the final to concentrate fully on her main event, the 200 metres backstroke. The heats of that event take place tomorrow morning.

Nocher and Murphy were only placed 11th and 13th overall after the heats of the 400 metres, but because countries are only allowed two swimmers in a final, Nocher was deemed to have qualified as both Spain and Great Britain had three swimmers faster than the Irish competitor.

Murphy was a bronze medallist in the women’ 400 metres freestyle in last year’s European Short Course championships in Eindhoven.