For the second year in a row, Mona McSharry has finished fifth in the final of the women’s 100 metres breaststroke at the World Aquatics Championships in Doha.
McSharry, who was trying to become the first Irish swimmer to win a medal at a senior World Swimming Championships, had qualified second-fastest from Monday’s semi-finals.
Swimming from Lane 5, she clocked 1:06.42, slower than her semi-final time of 01:06.11.
The final was won by China’s Quintang Tang.
Siobhan Haughey (Hong Kong), a grand-niece of former Irish Taoiseach Charles Haughey, was third.
“I’m gutted,” McSharry said after the race where she was 0.5 seconds out from winning a medal.
“I just felt like it was there within my reach and I just didn’t have it today. It’s really tough to deal with but just, back to the drawing board and keep working, I guess.
“The most important thing is not coming away from this distraught or disheartened and try to use it to my advantage or feeling like I’m not capable. That’s probably going to be the hardest part.”
McSharry still has two more events to come in Doha this week: the 50m and 200m breaststroke.
World 100m breaststroke final result
1. Quintang Tang (China) 1:05.27
2. Tes Schouten (Netherlands) 1:05.82
3. Siobhan Haughey (Hong Kong) 1:05.92
5. Mona McSharry (Ireland) 1:06.42
