Olympic qualifier McMahon sets Irish record, Nocher in final

Seventeen-year-old swimming prospect Sycerika McMahon is London-bound after securing the Olympic A standard in the 100m breaststroke this morning.

McMahon’s time of 1:08.37 not only beat the Olympic qualifying time, but is also a new Irish record, and helped McMahon qualify for tonight’s 100m breaststroke semi-finals at the European Swimming Championships in Debrecen, Hungary.

Having claimed gold at the European Youth Olympics in Tampere three years ago, McMahon’s star has been rising for some time – but her potential has finally been realised.

Sycerika joins Grainne Murphy and Barry Murphy in the Irish Olympic swimming team, with Melanie Nocher seeking to make it a quartet for London.

Leander swimmer McMahon, who finished second in her heat, is the third fastest qualifier into this evening’s semis.

McMahon will be joined in the semi-finals by another Irish swimmer in the shape of Fiona Doyle, who finished 15th overall in this morning’s heats in a time of 1:10.16.

Two other Irish swimmers in action this morning bowed out, but there was a personal best of 57.06 in the 100m freestyle from Bethany Carson, while Shani Stallard swam 1:12.28 in the 100m breaststroke.

Tonight’s finals session will see McMahon and Doyle compete in the semi-finals of the 100m breaststroke and Melanie Nocher will be looking for Olympic qualification in the final of the 200m backstroke final.