July 04, 2022

A 7 strong Irish swimming team will begin competition from Tuesday, at the LEN European Junior Swimming Championships. The team, led by Mikey McCarthy (National Centre Limerick) will compete from the 5^th – 10^th July at the brand new Otopeni Aquatics Centre in Bucharest, Romania.

The opening day of competition will see five Irish swimmers in action with New Ross’ Evan Bailey and Larne’s Thomas Leggett first up in the 200m Freestyle. Grace Davison (Ards) swims the 400m IM, while Sunday’s Wells’ Liam Custer makes his Irish debut in the 200m Butterfly and Trojan’s Grace Hodgins swims the 1500m Freestyle Heats.

Completing the team is 2019 European Youth Olympic Games Silver medalist Molly Mayne (Templeogue) who gets her campaign underway on Thursday in the 200m Breaststroke with National Centre Bangor’s Ellie McCartney in the same event, making her European Juniors debut.

Speaking before the event National Performance Pathway Manager Andrew Reid said ‘The team are very excited to race and have been working hard to deliver their best performances at this meet. Molly competed in this event last year and Grace Hodgins has experience from the European Short Course in 2021. They will offer additional experience to the 5 athletes on their international debuts who will no doubt thrive in the environment.’

Team

Evan Bailey New Ross SC

Thomas Leggett Larne SC

Grace Davison Ards SC

Ellie McCartney Ards SC/National Centre Bangor

Liam Custer Sundays Well SC/Sarasota Sharks

Grace Hodgins Trojan SC

Molly Mayne Templeogue SC/Hamilton Aquatics (Dubai)

Day 1 Heats Schedule:

200m Freestyle Evan Bailey, Thomas Leggett

400m IM Grace Davison

200m Butterfly Liam Custer