Ryan breaks record to reach European final in Belgrade

Shane Ryan just missed out on recording the Olympic qualification time as he broke his own Irish record in the semi-finals of the 100m freestyle at the European Aquatics Championships in Belgrade.

The two-time Olympian qualified for Wednesday’s final in what was the fifth fastest time of the semi-finals, clocking 48.39secs, beating his own best by one tenth of a second.

Ryan sits just five hundreds of a second outside the qualifying time of 48.34secs required for the Paris Games.

Galway’s John Shortt is through to the final of the 200m backstroke, while the mixed 4×100 medley relay squad of Lottie Cullen (backstroke), Eoin Corby (breaststroke), Max McCusker (butterfly) and Ellie McCartney (freestyle) finished sixth in the final in a time of 3.51.06.

Shortt said: “I thought I executed it well; it just wasn’t as fast as I thought it was going to be. It was always going to be tough coming out here racing outdoors for the first time, but it’s frustrating.

“Two years ago, I didn’t expect to be anywhere near this level, at least not for a few years. The progress has been massive, I have to thank my coaches for that, they’ve been amazing.”

Darragh Greene finished seventh in the men’s 100m breaststroke final in 60.28 seconds.

Speaking after the final, Greene said: “It’s my first individual final on the European stage and to go back after trials just three weeks later, I’m pretty happy with it. It’s indescribable when you get a chance to represent your country, it’s the main reason why we do it and put in the dedication into the sport itself is just to be able to represent your country as best as you can.”

Clare Cryan finished 11th in the final of the one metre springboard with a score of 180.00 after five rounds; her best score came in the fifth and final dive scoring 46.80.

As well as finals for Ryan and Shortt on Wednesday, Nathan Wiffen will also be in action in the 800m freestyle final following Tuesday’s sixth place finish in the heats.

Wednesday’s heats will see McCusker return to the pool with Evan Bailey for the 100m butterfly.

Paris-qualified Danielle Hill swims the 50m backstroke heats with Cullen, while Greene, Corby and Uiseann Cooke will compete in the 200m breaststroke heats.

In diving, Ciara McGing will make her debut at these championships in the ten-metre platform.