IRELAND'S Paralympic swimmers rounded off a successful week at the World Championships in Glasgow with a second bronze medal and a string of impressive performances.
The event took place at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre, and was a key milestone in the swimmers’ quest to qualify for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
Ellen Keane, 28, set a new lifetime best to medal in the 200m Individual Medley final (SM9) and claimed a bronze on the final day of the championship.
The double Paralympian swam back from fourth place at the final turn to clinch third place in 2:40.31.
Great Britain’s Tully Kearney claimed gold, setting a new European record of 2:31.08, with Ping Lin of China taking bronze in 2:38.91.
“I’m still in shock! I didn’t think I got third,” Keane said. “I looked at the clock and registered my time and was happy with my PB, then saw the ‘3’ and couldn’t believe it!
"I’m just so delighted, especially for my parents after dressing up in their Irish suits all week!” she added.
Meanwhile, 13-year-old Nicole Turner made an impact in Glasgow over the week, with the Laois swimmer making her debut at the championships.
She qualified for the final in all six of her events and set several personal bests.
Speaking afterwards, Irish team manager Hayley Burke said: “What a finish to a brilliant week. For Nicole, six from six finals in her first ever major championships is class!”
Earlier in the week Darragh McDonald won 400m Freestyle bronze, having come into these championships ranked fourth, following a lengthy spell recovering from surgery due to an injury.
