Team NI Confirms Strong Swimming Squad for Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Team NI Confirms Strong Swimming Squad for Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games

Olympic champion Daniel Wiffen leads a high-quality Team NI swimming squad announced for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, with a number of athletes, also selected to the Ireland team for the European Championships in Paris in August set to feature prominently.

Wiffen, who recently moved his training base to Swim Ireland’s National Centre in Dublin, headlines the team following his standout performances at the Irish Open in April where he claimed 400m, 800m and 1500m gold, he will contest all three events in Glasgow.

Several athletes return from a landmark Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022, where Team NI secured its first-ever swimming medals. Among them is Paralympic star Barry McClements who claimed Team NI’s first-ever Commonwealth swimming medal with bronze in the S9 100m backstroke. He is set to compete in both the S9 100m backstroke and the S10 100m butterfly.

Rising talents Ellie McCartney and Grace Davison further strengthen the squad following impressive performances across the last year. McCartney, a 2025 European U23 Champion and World Championships finalist, will compete in the 100m and 200m Breaststroke as well as the 200m Individual Medley. Davison, a European Junior medallist and Ireland’s youngest member of the Paris 2024 squad, is entered across sprint freestyle and backstroke events.

Experienced campaigners also feature prominently. Danielle Hill returns to Glasgow for her fourth Commonwealth Games, having first competed there in 2014 as a 14-year-old. Conor Ferguson is also back in the team, having previously reached two finals at the Gold Coast Games in 2018.

Lottie Cullen will make her Commonwealth Games debut, racing in the 100m and 200m Backstroke.

The squad also includes Jack McMillan, who competed as part of the Great Britain relay team that claimed gold in the 4x200m freestyle at the Paris Olympics while British Paralympian Bethany Firth, who delivered gold in the S14 200m freestyle last time round, will return to defend that crown in Glasgow.

The squad is completed by a strong relay group including Adam Bradley, Matthew Hamilton, Paddy Johnston, Alana Burns Atkin, Victoria Catterson and Emily Hughes.

Conal Heatley, Chef de Mission, Team NI said ‘We’re delighted to welcome such a strong group of athletes to the team. Having won our first ever swimming medals at Birmingham 2022, we’re looking to build upon those successes at Glasgow 2026 during July. Credit must go to all the athletes and coaches within the Swim Ireland/Swim Ulster system who have worked tirelessly over recent years, driving standards and competing consistently on the international stage.’

Swim Ulster CEO Stephen Cuddy commented ‘“The Commonwealth Games in Birmingham were a real watershed moment for swimming in Ulster, with our athletes delivering the first-ever swimming medals for Team NI. It was a hugely proud achievement and highlighted the strength of the programme and the quality within the team.

Looking ahead to Glasgow this summer, there is a real sense of excitement around this squad. This is undoubtedly one of the strongest and deepest teams we have ever selected, featuring Olympic, World and Paralympic medallists and champions. The size of the team is also the biggest we have ever had for a Commonwealth Games swimming programme, which is another hugely positive sign for the sport.

It is also fantastic to see strong representation from Swim Ulster and Swim Ireland within the wider support team. Andrew Reid will serve as Performance Lead, bringing a wealth of experience to the Games, while Gary Stoops and Alison Bryson have been selected as officials.

We are also very grateful for the continued support from Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland as preparations continue for Glasgow.”

Swim Ireland National Performance Director Andy Reid added ‘“It’s an honour to continue as Commonwealth Games Performance Lead, a role I’ve proudly held since 2014. Across each Games cycle, the programme has continued to grow in strength and depth, and I’m excited to support our athletes and staff once again in delivering their best performances in Glasgow. With a blend of Olympic and Paralympic medallists, established international performers and emerging talent, the Team NI swimming squad is well placed to build on recent success and continue its growing impact on the Commonwealth stage.”

Team NI Swimming Squad

Daniel Wiffen 400/800/1500m Freestyle

Jack Mc Millan 100/200/400m Freestyle

Danielle Hill 50/100m Backstroke, 50m Freestyle

Ellie Mc Cartney 100/200m Breaststroke, 200m IM

Conor Ferguson 50m Backstroke

Charlotte Cullen 100/200m Backstroke

Grace Davison 100/200m Freestyle, 100/200m Backstroke

Adam Bradley Men’s 4 x 100m Medley Team Relay

Matthew Hamilton Men’s 4 x 100m Medley Team Relay

Paddy Johnston Men’s 4 x 100m Medley Team Relay

Alana Burns Atkin Women’s 4 x 100m Medley Team Relay