Bree leads Irish contingent

TWO-TIME Olympian Andrew Bree leads the Irish squad at the European Long Course Swimming Championships in Budapest, which commences today.

It’s as historic week for Ireland with Chris Bryan and Andrew Meegan competing in the open swim section — the first time the Irish have contested the event at the LEN European Championships.

Bryan goes in the 10km race today while both contest the 5km swim tomorrow.

The pool swimming commences on Monday.

Swim Ireland’s National Performance Director Peter Banks admits the Championships is an integral part of Ireland’s build up to the London Olympics.

He said: “We see these Championships as a pathway meet along the road to London 2012.

“The team has been enjoying working together at a training camp in Slovenia for the past week.

“The team is excited to step up and race at these championships. For most of them this will be the first test of the season.”

The Irish squad will be made up of Andrew Bree, Chris Bryan, Ryan Harrison, Andrew Meegan and Barry Murphy, Clare Dawson, Melanie Nocher and Grainne Murphy.

Dublin’s Nuala Murphy had to withdraw from the squad due to an ongoing back injury.