IRELAND’S MONA MCSHARRY capped off an incredible year on Saturday night with a new Irish record and fifth place finish in the 100m Breaststroke at the European Championships in Copenhagen.
An outstanding performance from the 17-year-old saw her just two tenths of a second away from a bronze medal with an Irish record time of 1:05.01, breaking her own record of 1:05.27, in what was her first final at senior international level.
“It was unbelievable,” she said speaking afterwards.
“Even to walk out there and the crowd was going crazy and that whole atmosphere, that’s why I do this, because I want to be in those finals and I want to be doing as good as I can. I got a PB (personal best) and a new Irish senior record so it’s unbelievable really.”
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Lithuania’s Ruta Meilutyte topped the podium in the event, adding 100m Breaststroke Gold to her 50m Gold from earlier in the week in 1:03.79, Finland’s Jenna Laukkanen was second in 1:04.25 with Jessica Vall Montero of Spain claiming bronze in 1:04.80.
McSharry will return to the pool tomorrow for the 200m Breaststroke heats where she will look to close in on Fiona Doyle’s Irish record — the only junior and senior Breaststroke record the teenager does not currently hold.
McSharry pictured during the 100m Breaststroke final on Saturday. Giorgio Scala / INPHO
Giorgio Scala / INPHO / INPHO
Alongside Conor Ferguson he will take on the 50m Backstroke with Sloan the Irish senior record holder in the event and Ferguson the junior record holder.
Danielle Hill is the Irish record holder in the 50m Freestyle and will look to lower that time in tomorrow’s heats and in the 200m Butterfly in Copenhagen — with another current record holder Brendan Hyland aiming to break the time he set just five weeks ago in Dublin.
The final morning session of the Championships will conclude with Ireland’s 200m Medley Relay of Jordan Sloan (Backstroke), Conor Brines (Butterfly), Alex Murphy (Breaststroke) and Calum Bain (Freestyle).
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Mona McSharry breaks Irish record with fifth place finish in European final
IRELAND’S MONA MCSHARRY capped off an incredible year on Saturday night with a new Irish record and fifth place finish in the 100m Breaststroke at the European Championships in Copenhagen.
An outstanding performance from the 17-year-old saw her just two tenths of a second away from a bronze medal with an Irish record time of 1:05.01, breaking her own record of 1:05.27, in what was her first final at senior international level.
“It was unbelievable,” she said speaking afterwards.
“Even to walk out there and the crowd was going crazy and that whole atmosphere, that’s why I do this, because I want to be in those finals and I want to be doing as good as I can. I got a PB (personal best) and a new Irish senior record so it’s unbelievable really.”
Lithuania’s Ruta Meilutyte topped the podium in the event, adding 100m Breaststroke Gold to her 50m Gold from earlier in the week in 1:03.79, Finland’s Jenna Laukkanen was second in 1:04.25 with Jessica Vall Montero of Spain claiming bronze in 1:04.80.
McSharry will return to the pool tomorrow for the 200m Breaststroke heats where she will look to close in on Fiona Doyle’s Irish record — the only junior and senior Breaststroke record the teenager does not currently hold.
Saturday also saw Bangor native Jordan Sloan set his third Irish record in Denmark during a successful afternoon for the Irish contingent.
Alongside Conor Ferguson he will take on the 50m Backstroke with Sloan the Irish senior record holder in the event and Ferguson the junior record holder.
Danielle Hill is the Irish record holder in the 50m Freestyle and will look to lower that time in tomorrow’s heats and in the 200m Butterfly in Copenhagen — with another current record holder Brendan Hyland aiming to break the time he set just five weeks ago in Dublin.
The final morning session of the Championships will conclude with Ireland’s 200m Medley Relay of Jordan Sloan (Backstroke), Conor Brines (Butterfly), Alex Murphy (Breaststroke) and Calum Bain (Freestyle).
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
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Copenhagen Denmark European Championships Mona McSharry success Swimming