Frustrated McMahon bids to make most of worlds despite time blunder

But for a mix-up, Sycerika McMahon could be in line to make a final at the swimming world championships in Barcelona next week.

The 18-year-old from Co. Down believed she had achieved the ‘A’ standard in the 50m and 100m breaststroke, respectively, following her success at the European Championships in May last year but has since found out that the times were recorded outside the specified 12-month qualification period for the worlds.

“It’s very, very frustrating; it’s kind of devastating, to be honest,” McMahon admitted. “I guess these things happen and you just have to deal with it and move on. I’m going out to do two different events and expecting to do the 200m medley and the 100m freestyle and we’ll see how it goes, and give everything.