Night five of the 2024 European Para Swimming Championships saw Ireland’s Nicole Turner and Dearbhaile Brady both claim medals in the 50 Freestyle S6 Final.

In the same pool where Turner claimed the European bronze in 2021, the NAC swimmer powered through the pool to secure European gold in the 50 Freestyle Final. The race went right down to the wire as both Turner and Swiss swimmer Nora Meister stopped the clock on 35.51, claiming joint gold, Turner’s first gold at a major championships.

“That was special and to do it as a joint was even more special. To be honest the 50 free I love it. It’s an event that I really enjoy and I did really enjoy that race,” Turner said.

In the same race, Irish teammate Dearbhaile Brady followed closely behind to join Turner on the podium. The Limavady swimmer clocked 36.85 to secure bronze, her first ever medal at a major competition.

Following her bronze medal win, Brady said: “It was quite a shock seeing my name come up there. I was really nervous coming into the race but I’m really proud if how I swam.”

Double European champion Róisín Ní Riain continued her busy week on the blocks as she competed in the sprint event yesterday, the 50 Freestyle S13 Final. The Limerick woman placed seventh in Europe, clocking 28.75, going faster than her morning swim (28.82).

The gold and bronze medals won last night take Ireland’s medal tally to seven for the week with two more days of competition to come.

Today sees Ní Riain feature in the 400 Freestyle S13 event, while Barry McClements returns to action for his second event of the week (100 Backstroke S9). Later this evening Nicole Turner will compete in a direct final as she looks to add to her medal tally (100 Breaststroke SB6).

Para Swimming European Championships Day 4 Results

Nicole Turner – 50m Freestyle Final / 35.51 / 1st Place (joint)
Dearbhaile Brady – 50m Freestyle Final / 36.85 / 3rd Place
Róisín Ní Riain – 50m Freestyle Final / 28.75 / 8th Place

Day 6 Schedule (April 26)

9:30: Róisín Ní Riain – 400m Freestyle Heat (event 110)
10:59 Barry McClements – 100m Backstroke Heat (event 124)
19:34: Nicole Turner – 100m Breaststroke Final (event 125)