WATCH: Limerick's Róisín Ní Riain 'absolutely delighted' to win bronze at World Para Championships

LIMERICK'S Róisín Ní Riain clinched a fantastic bronze medal for Ireland on the opening day of the Madeira 2022 World Para Swimming Championships on Sunday.

The Drombanna teenager produced a superb finish to hold off Joanna Mendak from Poland and claim her medal by just ¼ of a second.

Ní Riain, who competed at Tokyo 2020 last September, swam a time of 1:10 in the heat but she knocked nearly a second off that as she shoed true grit and determination to edge out her Polish competitor and clinch bronze at her first ever World Championships.

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Speaking immediately after the race, NI Riain said: "I’m absolutely delighted, I wasn’t expecting it, I was hoping but I wasn’t expecting it so I am absolutely thrilled".

Watch full video of Róisin Ní Riain's reaction to winning her bronze medal win here: 

This marks the start of a busy week for Ní Riain who will compete for more times, including today, Monday, when she will again compete for a medal in the SB13 100m Backstroke Final.

Ní Riain, a member of Limerick Swimming Club, is a student at Gaelcholaiste Luimnigh. 

Coached by John Szaranek, she is the eldest in her family and has three younger sisters, including twins.

Madeira 2022 World Para Swimming Championships Results:

Róisín Ní Riain, Women’s 100m S13 Butterfly Final, 1.09.05, 3rd place *Bronze Medal

Róisín Ní Riain, Women’s 100m S13 Butterfly Heat, 1:10.6, 4th place

Madeira 2022 World Para Swimming Championships Schedule:

Day 2-Monday June 13

Róisín Ní Riain, Women’s SB13 100m Backstroke Final

Day 4- Wednesday June 15

Róisín Ní Riain, S13 100m Backstroke Final

Day 6- Friday June 17

Róisín Ní Riain, S13 400m Freestyle Final

Day 7- Saturday June 18

Róisín Ní Riain, SM13 200m Individual Medley Final