Stunning second medal for Hill

Ireland’s Danielle Hill added a silver medal to her 50m gold, in the 100m backstroke final at the European Aquatics Championships in Belgrade. Hill finished second to Polish swimmer Adela Piskorska in a time of 1:00.19

The 100 backstroke is the main event that Hill will swim at the Olympics, as the 50m event is not contested.

In the same event Lottie Cullen touched in an incredible 5th in her first ever European Final.

Shane Ryan is through to the final of the 50m freestyle on the penultimate day of racing. Ryan set a new Irish senior record in the heats, of 21.82, which also dipped under the Olympic qualifying time.

In the semi-final Ryan was ranked 4th overall, making tomorrows final in 21.92., his second best time ever and equals the Olympic qualifying time. Callum Bain was 9th and missed out on a place in the decider by 0.02.

Swim Ireland must now consider whether to send Ryan to Paris, having posted the Olympic qualifying time outside of their set qualification window.

Ellie McCartney finished 8th the 200m Individual Medley final.

In the 100m backstroke, Conor Ferguson secured another final place with a third placed finish in his heat and was 6th overall

The championships has faced interruptions due to thunderstorms in the area of the open air Belgrade pool. Leading to the men’s 1500m final, featuring Irelands Nathan Wiffen, being postponed until Sunday.