McSharry Claims Silver in Rome

Ireland’s Mona McSharry claimed a silver medal in the 100m Breaststroke on the opening night of racing at the Sette Colli meet at the Foro Italico in Rome. McSharry is part of a 24-strong Irish team using the prestigious Italian meet as final preparation ahead of this summer’s major championships — the Commonwealth Games in July and the European Championships in August.

The Olympic medallist progressed as top seed from the morning heats in 1:06.53 and went quicker in the final, touching in 1:06.30 to secure her first medal of the meet, just behind Italy’s Benedetta Pilato (1:05.85).

Tom Fannon narrowly missed the podium, by just five hundredths of a second, in the Men’s 50m Freestyle Final, finishing fourth in a season’s best time of 21.95.

There was also A final action for Danielle Hill in the 50m Backstroke, where she placed eighth in 28.72.

In Friday’s B finals, John Shortt was first home in the 50m Backstroke, touching in 25.23 seconds. In the women’s equivalent, Lottie Cullen secured second place in 29.07.

There were further runner-up finishes for Ellen Walshe in the 200m Freestyle (1:59.18), Daniel Wiffen in the 400m Freestyle (3:50.52), and Ellie McCartney in the 100m Breaststroke (1:08.19).

Competition continues on Saturday and Sunday.

Ends

Day 1 Results

(M) 50m Backstroke

John Shortt | 25.91 | B Final 25.23 (1)

Paddy Johnston | 26.48

(W) 50m Backstroke

Lottie Cullen | 29.43 | B Final 29.07 (2)

Danielle Hill | 29.24 | A Final

(M) 400m Freestyle

Daniel Wiffen | 3:54.25 | B Final 3:50.52 (2)

Nathan Wiffen | 4:01.10