Exhausted Irish fail to progress in Europeans

For the first time this week, Irish swimmers competing at the European Swimming Championships at Debrecen in Hungary failed to progress beyond the morning heats.

Sycerika McMahon, Melanie Nocher and Bethany Carson were all eliminated from the 200 metres freestyle while Karl Burdis finished 8th in his heat of the men’s 200 metres backstroke.

The Dubliner didn’t concentrate on racing the full 200 as he attempted to make the Olympic A qualifying standard for the 100 backstroke in the first leg of his heat

However, his time of 56.56 seconds was over two seconds slower than the tine required and he trailed in last on in his heat as a result and Burdis has now completed his European Championship programme.

Nuala Muphy withdrew from the heats of the women’s 200 and 1500 freestyle due to illness and headed back to Ireland yesterday.

“I would say at this stage that our swimmers are mentally and physically exhausted” said Peter Banks, Ireland’s high performance director.

“It has been an emotional and strenuous week for our squad who have put everything into their attempts to qualify for the London Olympics”.

Only McMahon and Doyle are in action today on the penultimate day of competition in Debrecen as they compete in the heats of the women’s 50 metres breaststroke.