Ireland’s Mona McSharry has won a bronze medal on the opening night of competition at the European Junior Swimming Championships in Hungary.
The 15-year-old Sligo native, who swims with Marlins SC in Donegal, joins Olympians Grainne Murphy and Sycerika McMahon as a European Junior medallist after placing third in the 50m breaststroke final.
McSharry had progressed from the morning heats as the fastest qualifier in a best time of 32 seconds. She moved to second after the afternoon semi-final in 32.12 and a blistering 31.98 saw her third and on the podium in the final behind the Slovenian duo of Tina Celik - who clocked 31.85 to claim gold - and Tara Vovk.
McMahon was Ireland’s last medallist at a European Junior Championships in 2011, claiming gold in the same event in 32 seconds.
“It’s amazing, I’m really happy," said McSharry afterwards.
"I had a hectic morning, so to be able to swim two PBs in the heats was great, that gave me confidence going into the semi-final and final.
"My finish wasn’t great in the final so who knows what could have been. I have the 200m breaststroke tomorrow, but I’m trying not to think about that one for now!”
