Jack Kelly breaks Irish 100m breaststroke record to reach European final

12 Irish swimmers, along with the Irish mixed 4x100m medley relay, will be in action on Tuesday

Jack Kelly will go in the 100m breaststroke final at 5:48pm on Tuesday. Pic: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

Jack Kelly twice broke the Irish 100m breaststroke record as he qualified for the final at the European Aquatics Championships in Paris. 

The 23-year-old, who hails from New York, secured a place in the final by swimming 58.90, going under 59 seconds for the first time and taking another .37 of a second off the mark he had set in Monday morning's heats.

Kelly finished second in his semi-final behind Italian Nicolo Martinenghi, and qualified second overall for the final, putting him in contention for a medal when he steps onto the blocks at 5:48pm on Tuesday evening. He will go from lane five. 

"I feel amazing," said Kelly.

"To go under 59 has always been a dream of mine and to actually see it on the board is just like ‘wow’. It’s been an awesome start to the meet and I’m excited to see what I do next.

"It was exciting. The energy was there and to feed off it was what I did, it’s been a really cool environment. I can hear the guys, they’ve been very supportive, we’re very close and I couldn’t wish for better teammates.

"The environment is great and something that is really cool to be part of. Tomorrow I’m going to take it out and go full throttle, that’s my thing in the 100 and see what I got."

Lottie Cullen broke her personal best, touching the wall in 2:12.22 in her semi-final to finish 12th overall in the 200m backstroke. 

On Tuesday, Olympic champion Daniel Wiffen returns for the heats of the 800m freestyle, joined by twin brother Nathan Wiffen and Liam Custer. 

Olympic bronze medallist Mona McSharry begins her championship campaign in the heats of the 100m breaststroke, alongside Commonwealth Games 200m breaststroke bronze medallist Ellie McCartney. 

European short course champions John Shortt and Ellen Walshe will also be in action in the 200m backstroke and 50m butterfly respectively. 

Alana Burns-Atkin and Rosalie Phelan will join Walshe in the 50m butterfly, while Evan Bailey and Matthew Hamilton return to the pool for the 100m freestyle. Ireland will also be represented in the mixed 4x100m medley relay, with the line-up to be confirmed on Tuesday morning.