McNamara secures Euro place

Sixteen-year-old Dearbhail McNamara from Westport secured European Senior Championships qualification as she took the 200m breaststroke title at the Irish National Championships at Abbotstown yesterday.

McNamara qualified earlier this year for the European juniors and swam a pb of 2:32.95. Dan Sweeney and Nicholas Quinn battled in an exciting men’s final, Sweeney getting the touch in 2:17.20.

Antoinette Neamt cruised to a fourth title in as many days in the 1,500m freestyle. Brendan Hyland, also picked up his fourth title as he took the 100m butterfly. UCD’s Shauna O’Brien claimed the women’s 100m butterfly.

Andrew Meegan just missed out on European Championship qualification in the men’s 800m freestyle, winning in 8:09.84 just 0.34 outside qualification.

GB’s Danielle Lowe swimming for Aer Lingus, touched first in the 200m individual medley final in 2:15.03. The national title went to UCD’s Shani Stallard in 2:21.58.

50m backstroke went to Kate Kavanagh in 30.57. Jordan Sloan of Bangor won the men’s title. Curtis Coulter and Melanie Houghton won the respective 50m freestyle.