Irelands James Scully finished fifth in the final of the opening event of the World Para Swimming European Championships in Dublin.
Scully finished third in his men’s 200 freestyle S5 heat at the National Aquatic Centre in Abbotstown with a season’s best.
That was good enough to leave the 2016 Rio Paralympian the fifth fastest qualifier for the final and the race ran true to form.
Italy’s Francesco Bocciardo set a new world record in the event in taking the gold medal in 2.23.65.
Ailbhe Kelly was fifth in her heat of the SM8 200m individual medley which placed her in ninth in the standings and she looked set to miss a place in the final by just 0.48 of a second
However another competitor dropped out and Kelly, as first reserve, made the top eight and in the end finished a creditable seventh in the final.
Ireland's final competitor in tonight’s session was Nicole Turner who finished sixth in the final of the women’s 50 metres freestyle S6 slightly slower than her heat time
Turner swam in multiple events in Brazil two years ago and is doing a similar programme here with the exception of the demanding 400 freestyle.
Turner's best event is the 50 butterfly and she will be hoping to nick a medal in that as she is currently ranked third in Europe in the event.
Ireland have six competitors in action on the second day as Johnny McGrath and Kelly go in 400 freestyle, Sean O’Riordan swims the 100 breaststroke heats, and Barry McClemence the 100 freestyle.
Patrick Flanagan and Nicole Turner will compete in the 200 metres IM.
