Irish qualifiers announced for European swimming championships
Swim Ireland (SI) has announced the Irish swimmers who have qualified to compete in this year’s European Senior and Junior Championships.
Each swimmer has set European qualification times, subject to final SI ratification, and will travel to compete at the finals in Budapest in July.
Andrew Bree, who recently competed in the Commonwealth Games, has qualified to swim at the European Long Course Championships, which take place in Budapest at the end of July. He will be joined at the championships by fellow Commonwealth swimmers Jonathan Nixon, Julie Douglas and Melanie Nocher. Steven Manley, who is currently on a swimming scholarship at the University of Kentucky, has also qualified to compete.
Four young swimmers have qualified for the European Junior Championships, which also take place in Budapest in July. Fourteen-year-old Fiona Doyle from Limerick will be joined by Chelsey Wilson from Enniskillen and Dubliners Laura McDonnell and Aisling Cooney.
The final chance for swimmers to qualify will be at the Irish Long Course Open Championships, which take place next weekend (April 28-30) at the National Aquatic Centre.
Seven new members have been added to Swim Ireland’s Team 2012. Team 2012 has been developed to maximise the potential of Ireland’s best young swimmers in preparation for the 2012 Olympics.
Qualified for European Long Course Championships (Budapest, July)
Andrew Bree (Belfast) – 50m, 100m and 200m Breaststroke
Jonathan Nixon (Belfast) – 50m and 100 Breaststroke
Melanie Nocher (Belfast) – 100m Backstroke
Julie Douglas (Belfast) – 100m Freestyle
Steven Manley (Dublin) – 200m Freestyle
Qualified for European Junior Championships (Budapest, July)
Fiona Doyle (Limerick) – 50m Freestyle
Laura McDonnell (Dublin) – 100m Butterfly
Chelsey Wilson (Enniskillen) – 100m Backstroke
Aisling Cooney (Dublin) – 50m and 100m Backstroke
New members of Team 2012
Andrew Meegan (Dublin)
Niamh O’Sullivan (Kerry)
Bethany Carson (Lisburn)
Eimear Doyle (Limerick)
Rosanna Cooney (Dublin)
Paul Laffan (Cork)
William Ensor (Dublin)
