The final of the Women’s 200m freestyle on the second day of the Celtic Tri-Nations at the National Aquatic Centre produced a fantastic display from Ireland’s Melanie Nocher.
Nocher and Scotland’s Hannah Miley broke away from the field at the 100m mark and battled stroke for stroke to the finish.
It was Nocher who prevailed, touching in a time of 2.00.89, only 0.07s ahead of Miley. Third place went to Welsh swimmer Sian Morgan in a time of 2.03.64.
Nocher said: “It was really good, I was really happy with my swim. I had to go out really hard. I think Hannah and I helped to push each other, I helped her out in the first 100 and she helped me out in the second half.”
Nocher competes in her main event, the 200m backstroke on Sunday and will be chasing the FINA A time needed for Olympic Qualification.
Ireland’s Karl Burdis also produced a commanding display in the final of the Men’s 100m backstroke, taking gold in a time of 56.63.
Burdis, who competes in the European Senior Championships in Hungary next month, was over a second ahead of Scotland’s Craig McNally (57.85). Bronze went to Kilkenny SC athlete David Prendergast (59.01).
Kilkenny youngster Jane Roberts produced a gutsy display in a strong field to take silver in the 100m backstroke (1.04.77). The event was won by Spain’s 2008 Olympian Mercedes Peris (1.02.24).
