The curtain came down on a stunning 2024 European Para Swimming Championships for Team Ireland as they returned home from Madeira laden with silverware. The team of six took trips to the podium on twelve separate occasions over the seven day competition, securing five of the twelve on the final two days of competition.
On the penultimate day of competition in Madeira, Róisín Ní Riain continued her impressive form in the pool claiming her fourth medal of the week. Ní Riain clocked 4:44.62 on her way to bronze in the 400 Freestyle S13 Final.
Another Irish Para swimmer who was in fine form in Madeira was Nicole Turner, who was back on the blocks following her gold standard performance the night previous. The NAC swimmer was third home in 1:44.72 to secure the 100 Breaststroke SB6 bronze medal.
Following the race Turner said: “Medals are great, I won’t lie but I think this championships is all about breaking down the race. It’s kind of our last big meet now before Paris so it is to get the mistakes out of the way here. It’s all just a learning curve to see what we can do better and then bring that into Paris.”
European bronze medallist Barry McClements closed out his week with a fourth place finish in the 100 Backstroke S9 Final (1:04.52).
Ellen Keane was back on the European stage on the final night of competition for her favoured 100 Breaststroke SB8 event. The reigning Paralympic Champion touched the wall second in a time of 1:24.19, securing Ireland’s tenth medal of the championships.
There was one last trip to the podium for Róisín Ní Riain in Madeira as she secured her fifth medal of the championships. This time the National Centre (Limerick) swimmer bagged silver, clocking 2:31.06 in the 200 Medley SM13 Final.
Speaking after the final, Ní Riain said: “It was a long week but some good racing, loads of things to take away over the next couple of months so that’s definitely a positive.”
The 50 Butterfly S6 Final, which is usually a hotly contested race, closed out the week for Irish Para swim team as Nicole Turner and Dearbhaile Brady both featured. It was Turner who raced down one length of the Madeira pool second fastest to claim second spot on the podium 37.70. Turner finished ahead of both GB swimmer Maisie Summers-Newton (38.48) and Irish teammate Brady (38.49), who was competing in just her second major championships.
Although the Para swim team is yet to be announced, sights will be firmly on the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games from 28 August – 8 September.
Team Ireland Medals
Róisín Ní Riain:
- 100 Breaststroke (Gold)
- 100 Backstroke (Gold)
- 100 Butterfly (Silver)
- 200 Medley (Silver)
- 400 Freestyle (Bronze)
Nicole Turner:
- 50 Freestyle (Joint Gold)
- 50 Butterfly (Silver)
- 200 Medley (Bronze)
- 100 Breaststroke (Bronze)
Barry McClements:
- 100 Butterfly (Bronze)
Dearbhaile Brady:
- 50 Freestyle (Bronze)
Ellen Keane:
- 100 Breaststroke (Silver)