Mona McSharry sets fastest time in 50m breaststroke heats in Israel

Sligo’s Mona McSharry is safely through to semi-finals of the 50 metres breaststroke event at the European Junior Swimming Championships in Netanya, Israel, today.

The Marlins Swimming Club member swam the opening heat of the competition in 31.14 seconds, knocking two tenths of a second off her Irish Junior Record of 31.34.

The 16-year-old, who won bronze in the event last year, is the fastest qualifier for this afternoon’s semi-final and was seven tenths of a second ahead of the second-placed swimmer.

The semi-final heats take place from 3.30pm with the top eight swimmers progressing to the final at 5.10pm.

Templeogue’s Ellen Walshe knocked half a second off her best time in the 200m Butterfly to advance to the semi-finals also.

Day 1 Heats Results:
Women 50m Breaststroke              Mona McSharry                  31.14 (1^st) IJR
Niamh Coyne                      32.96 (23^rd)
Men 50m Butterfly                           Robbie Powell                     25.51 (34^th)
Men 400m Freestyle                        Jack McMillan                     4:01.03 (28^th)
Women 200m Butterfly                   Ellen Walshe                       2:15.22 (9^th)
Women 400m IM                             Rebecca Reid                      5:01.15 (17^th)
Women 200m Backstroke               Rebecca Reid                     2:25.67 (34^th)
Women 800m Freestyle                  Rachel Bethel                      9:09.82 (TBC)

Day 1 Semi-Finals/Finals Schedule:
Women 50m Breaststroke              Mona McSharry                  Semi Final 3.30pm/Final 5.10pm (Ireland)
Women 200m Butterfly                   Ellen Walshe                       Semi Final 4.02pm(Ireland)