July 24, 2021
Paddy Johnston from Ards Swimming Club broke 26s for the first time in 50m Backstroke in the last finals session of the Irish Summer Meet at Bangor Aurora Aquatics and Leisure Complex on Saturday night.
The 20-year-old went 0.01 slower than his personal best of 26.05 in the heats, then powered clear in the final to win in 25.79, Daniel Mulholland taking second in 28.16.
Johnston had earlier won the 100m Butterfly Final from Ethan Hansen, who posted big personal bests in the heats and finals of that event.
The Trojan Swimming Club flyer had previously never swum quicker than 57s, but swam 56.39 in the morning and 56.42 in the evening. Strong swim for the Irish Junior Record holder in 200m Individual Medley.
Tokyo 2020 Paralympian Barry McClements posted 1:03.20 to win the B Final. This is McClements’s main event at Tokyo 2020 and he will now join Team Ireland at the pre-Paralympics preparation camp.
The Paralympic Games begin on August 25.
Rounding off a fantastic summer, Grace Hodgins lowered her 800m Freestyle personal best from 9:09.93 to 9:04.86. The Irish Junior Record held by Grainne Murphy since 2009 is 8:36.63 and Hodgins is still only 16.
There was also a personal best from Julia Knox from Banbridge Swimming Club to win the final of the 200m Individual Medley.
The 18-year-old posted 2:18.04, bettering the 2:18.62 she swam at Irish Summer Nationals back in 2018.
Eoin Corby, Irish Junior Record holder in all Breaststroke events, went fastest in the 200m Freestyle Final, posted 1:53.15 to beat Danny Morgan from Coolmine.
For full results see: Day 3 Finals Results
