There was no joy for the two Irish Paralympic swimmers in finals action on Day 6 of the IPC European Open Swim Championships.
However, Nicole Turner and Ellen Keane can be happy with a great week’s work in Madeira, including a bagful of personal bests and a silver medal for 13-year-old Turner.
Dubliner Keane touched home in a time of 1.25.67, an improvement on her heat time of 1.27.54 in the women’s 100m breaststroke SB8 final. The event marked Keane’s last swim at the Championships
Speaking afterwards she stated: “It was a bit of a disappointing time, but being realistic, I came into this Championships with a bit of fatigue, but it was great race practice.
“Once college is over I will be able to focus completely on swimming so I can’t wait for that. The support from home is brilliant, and my parents came over to watch me swim – as always - too!”
Meanwhile, Laois student Turner went quickly again when she swam yet another phenomenal PB time in the women’s 400m freestyle S6 final.
She finished in a brilliant time of 5.53.59, in a race that saw Ukranian’s Yelyzaveta Mereshko break the World and European records by four seconds.
“I’m very tired after that!” said Turner afterwards. “It’s been a busy week for me, I’ve had five heats and five finals so I really need my rest.
“I have the 50m butterfly on Saturday; I really love that event so I’m looking forward to it.
“It feels good to be going home with medals and PBs, everyone at home has been really supportive – I couldn’t have done it without them,” she added.
Earlier on Friday during the heats, 14-year-old Barry McClements secured another fantastic PB in his heat of the men’s 100m breaststroke SB8 when he tipped home in a time of 1.34.54.
Elsewhere, Clare’s Jonathan McGrath was up next in the following of the same event and also achieved a personal best time of 1.45.80.
Saturday is the final day of the IPC European Open Swim Championships in Funchal. Turner, McClements, McGrath and Ailbhe Kelly will all be in action for Ireland.
