Limerick teenager to represent Ireland at Para Swimming World Championships

A TALENTED Limerick swimmer has been included in the Irish Para Swimming Team which will represent Ireland at the Para Swimming World Championships this summer.

Manchester will play host to the 11th edition of the Para Swimming World Championships from July 31 to August 6.

Limerick teenager Róisín Ní Riain has had a great start to 2023 fitting her training and competition schedule around sitting the Leaving Certificate this summer at Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh.

After breaking two world records at the Irish Winter Championships in 2022, the Drombanna teenager set another world record at the Para Swimming World Series in Berlin this May.

Ní Ríain from Drombanna was the youngest of the 29 member Paralympics Ireland team at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2021. The Limerick teenager reached no fewer than five finals at the event.

The Irish Para Swimming Team which will represent Ireland at the Para Swimming World Championships this summer is made up of four Paralympians and one new Irish para swimmer.

Ellen Keane spearheads the team as the seasoned Paralympian with four Paralympic Games under her belt and one more on the horizon.

Speaking about the World Championships, Keane said, “I’m so excited. The pool that we’re going to be competing in is really fast, it’s a really great pool to race in. It’s a new team that we’re bringing away with some new faces and it’s great to see such a young team. I’m excited to see them compete and support them.”

Paralympic silver medalist Nicole Turner adds to the experience of the team, hoping to qualify for her third Paralympic games this year. Turner, from Laois, has picked up two silver medals on the Para Swimming World Series in both Melbourne and Minneapolis this year. 

Tokyo Paralympian Barry McClements will hope to continue his consistent form from earlier this year at the Para Swimming World Series in Minneapolis. The Down man collected two silver medals in the 100m backstroke and the 100m fly.

It will also be an exciting week for Derry’s Derbhaile Brady as she will be making her major championship debut for Ireland.

Speaking on the announcement, Para Swimming Performance Director, Dave Malone said, “We’re looking forward to competing against the world's best athletes over 7 days of competition in Manchester.

Following the success of the team at last year's world championships, we expect an even greater challenge this year and our team have been focusing on performing at a key milestone event towards the Paris Paralympic Games. We’re looking forward to Dearbhaile Brady competing at her first ever major championships for Ireland.”

Para Swimming World Championships from July 31 to August 6:

Ellen Keane | NAC Dublin

Nicole Turner | NAC Dublin

Róisín Ní Riain | National Centre (Limerick)

Barry McClements | Ards Swimming Club

Dearbhaile Brady | Limavady