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London 2012: Introducing… Melanie Nocher

Our latest in the series looks at the 24-year-old swimmer from Holywood Co Down.

(INPHO/Giorgio Scala)

Event: Swimming

Who is she? A 24-year-old native of Holywood Co Down, who despite her youth, has already represented Ireland at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Nocher disappointed in the 200m freestyle heats in 2008, before an improved performance in the 200m backstroke meant she could go home with her head held high.

She has since completed a degree in sports science at Loughborough, a UK university renowned for its excellent sports facilities, and exceeded expectations by qualifying for London 2012.

Road to London: Nocher qualified for the Olympics in May during the European Swimming Championships in Debrecen, breaking the Irish national record in the final of the 200m backstroke in the process with a time of 2:10.75.

Her career-best performance was especially satisfying, given that many critics had previously dismissed her chances of qualifying for the event.

What she says about herself: “It’s great to be going to my second Olympics. It’s been a hard year for me – this is my last chance. I wanted to go out with a bang and I did that.”

What they’re saying on the internet: “Many of the Irish ladies are going into this Olympics with personal bests and great performances behind them. It must be a huge boost to their confidence before the games.” – James Lynch, munsterfans.com

Medal chances? Highly unlikely – Nocher herself believes she has little hope of winning a medal, and would be satisfied just to make the final. Consequently, Jimmy is being as harsh as ever:

On the Twitter: Get following @MelanieNocher. Her tweets are a mixture of informative remarks in relation to her sport (“Only 42 days left till the Olympics start hope everyone is gettin excited #roadtriptolondon”) and somewhat less relevant but no less entertaining insights (see below):

If you meet her in a bar, ask her about… Rory McIlroy. She comes from the same town as the esteemed golfer.

If she was a YouTube video, she’d be… ‘A Million Ways’ by OK Go – renowned for being cool and calm, while possessing excellent hand-eye coordination to boot.

YouTube credit:

Read: London 2012: Introducing… Deirdre Ryan>

Read: London 2012: Introducing… Ciaran O’Lionaird>

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9 Comments
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    Mute Johnny Bravo
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    May 3rd 2018, 6:32 PM

    Makes sense he’s had a few injuries this season so why use him, give him a rest and proper recovery. He’s a big part of Jose’s future plans so he’ll be raring to go next season as a result

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    Mute Alana
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    May 3rd 2018, 6:46 PM

    @Johnny Bravo: how do you know he’s a big part of Jose’s future plans ?

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    Mute Alana
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    May 3rd 2018, 7:01 PM

    @Johnny Bravo: o

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    Mute Alana
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    May 3rd 2018, 7:02 PM

    @Johnny Bravo: or did you just make that up ?

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    Mute Johnny Bravo
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    May 3rd 2018, 7:09 PM

    @Alana: to much coffee today Jamie ?

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    Mute Johnny Bravo
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    May 3rd 2018, 7:11 PM

    @Johnny Bravo: or is your hand and fingers swollen from some other offline activity?

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    Mute Alana
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    May 3rd 2018, 7:11 PM

    @Johnny Bravo: stick to making up stuff Thommo

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    Mute Johnny Bravo
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    May 3rd 2018, 7:22 PM

    @Alana: So I’m Thommo now lol you’re some tulip

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    Mute Alana
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    May 3rd 2018, 7:25 PM

    @Johnny Bravo: where did you read he’s part of Jose’s plan for the future?

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    Mute Jumperoo
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    May 3rd 2018, 7:44 PM

    @Alana: don’t know if this helps, but I read it here. Some bloke called Johnny said so.

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    Mute Alana
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    May 3rd 2018, 7:46 PM

    @Jumperoo: you must be new here, he makes a lot of stuff up here he also uses the account Thommo

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    Mute FPL Thommo
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    May 4th 2018, 8:16 AM

    @Alana: obsessed

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    Mute Eric Djemba-Djemba
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    May 3rd 2018, 7:08 PM

    Wrapping him in cotton wool with nothing to play for in premier league. Probably get a game before FA cup final, arrangement suits everyone good managing. Another CB, LB and a CM who can control tempo of the game(very few out there) needed to challenge man city next season.

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    Mute Alana
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    May 3rd 2018, 7:13 PM

    @Eric Djemba-Djemba: why would he wrap him up in cotton wool when he had the whole summer off lol deluded

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    Mute Eric Djemba-Djemba
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    May 3rd 2018, 9:37 PM

    @Alana: why risk injuring your best player with nothing to play for at the end of season?

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    May 3rd 2018, 10:11 PM

    @Eric Djemba-Djemba: going by your logic Madrid will rest Ronaldo for every game bar the CL final then

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    Mute Ich bin brendan
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    May 3rd 2018, 11:59 PM

    @Alana: do you ever stop 20 comments on a Jose article and you took up 10 spouting absolute drivel

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    Mute Marko Polo
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    May 3rd 2018, 6:54 PM

    Great management. That will make his players warm to him even more.

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    Mute Alana
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    May 3rd 2018, 6:30 PM

    So considerate of Jose

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    Mute Teddyzigzagbigbag
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    May 3rd 2018, 7:34 PM

    Story outta nothing again lads…..

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    Mute Alana
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    May 3rd 2018, 6:29 PM

    So

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    Mute Tricksy
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    May 4th 2018, 10:11 AM

    Makes no sense ? Mourinho is moaning when players have too much games , no rest he moans ? Yet he is playing guys who will be playing an extra month of World Cup in nothing games ! Bizzare

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    Mute Kevin Chip
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    May 4th 2018, 12:51 PM

    Nothing strange great man management

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