Disappointing end for Limerick duo at European Swimming Championships

THE EUROPEAN Paralympic Swimming Championships came to an end on Saturday with two Limerick natives in action.

Róisín Ní Riain was in action at the 400m Freestyle final and clocked 4:49.19 to finish fifth overall. The result marked the end of a successful championship campaign for Ní Riain, who returns home with one gold and two silver European medals.

“I’m pretty disappointed with that swim, I’m not going to lie. I gave it everything but just didn’t have it there tonight.

“This week I just wanted to come in and give some good performances, maybe with the exception of that swim tonight, I’m really happy.

“It’s probably a sign of the lack of training this year, I was still working really hard but probably a lack of race endurance, there’s no excuses., I just didn’t have it there tonight.”

Reflecting on the week, she added: “I’m absolutely delighted with the week as a whole, if you told me some of the times I was going to do at the start of the week, especially those first couple of weeks,

“I would have been happy. I would have liked to end if on a little bit of a better note, but I have to be happy coming away from this week.”

Elsewhere, Laurel Hill student Ellie Lynch stepped onto the European stage to make her debut appearance at a senior international competition for Ireland.

Lynch had to contend with a lengthy wait before donning the Irish cap, with her sole event, the 100m Backstroke

The Celtic Waves swimmer clocked a time of 1:23.20 to finish seventh in her first outing on the European stage. Following the race, Lynch said:

“It wasn’t in the race I was hoping for, but you know what, I've had a long week here. I just got unlucky with the last day of racing, I gave it my all today.

“I'm just really thankful to be here and to be wearing the Irish cap is such an honour. Unfortunately, it wasn't the race I wanted, but I have so many more opportunities with that race, it was just amazing to be here and to give it my all. I think I found the wait the hardest.

“Just the anticipation waiting for the race and as I said, it wasn't the race I was hoping for, but there's always other opportunities that I'm just grateful to be here and obviously wear the cap and wear the green with pride.”