Ní Riain retains crown as Brady seals silver atWorld Para Swimming European Championships

The Limerick native took control and led throughout, storming to European gold in a time of 1:06.21.

GOLDEN GIRL: Róisín Ní Riain.

Ireland had another successful night at the 2026 World Para Swimming European Championships as Róisín Ní Riain successfully defended her European 100m Backstroke (S13) title, while Dearbhaile Brady claimed a second silver medal of the week.

Ní Riain retained her title with a dominant performance. The National Centre Limerick swimmer entered the race in pole position, having advanced from this morning’s heats as the fastest qualifier.

From the start, Ní Riain took control and led throughout, storming to European gold in a time of 1:06.21, finishing 2.80 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor, Italy’s Carlotta Gilli.

Ní Riain said: “It feels pretty good. I’ve been looking forward to this swim all week. It’s my main event and my best shot. 

"To be able to come out and do that, I’m not going to lie, I didn’t think I’d go that fast tonight. I did a solid heat swim this morning, but I wasn’t sure how much I was going to drop from that. To be able to improve on it and actually get a tiny personal best along with it, I’m so, so happy. I’ve said it already, but I just wanted to come here, have a good time and swim well, so to be able to win tonight and also put down a time that’s really good for me is fantastic.” 

The Limerick native, who will compete in the 200m IM and 50m Freestyle, added: “The aim tomorrow is to put down a good 200m IM swim and then give it everything I have for the 50 Free. I’m definitely not a 50m freestyler, so we’ll have to go for that one and see how it goes. Hopefully I can get back in there as well.” 

Following last night’s European silver medal in the 200m Individual Medley (SM6), Dearbhaile Brady returned to the pool to contest the 50m Butterfly (S6) final. The Irish swimmer led from the start and remained in front at the halfway mark before Italy’s Giulia Terzi mounted a late challenge. The pair went stroke for stroke down the closing metres, with Brady stopping the clock at 35.87 to claim silver and Ireland’s fourth medal of the championships, just 0.33 seconds shy of gold.

“I think I had a little bit more in me," she said. "I did have a bit more in me. I think the second half of the race could have gone a bit better. Róisín and I were chatting earlier today and both wondered if we could do it again, if we could both make the podium again, and we did. Róisín and I get along quite well and motivate each other.”