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Dubliner Paul McBride looking forward to the Irish Challenge

Paul McBride is relishing the opportunity to compete on home soil when the Irish Challenge visits Portmarnock Links from May 27-30.

The tournament returns to the Road to Mallorca International Schedule this year. It will take place on a links course for the first time in the event’s history at the prestigious Portmarnock Links.

McBride made only one Challenge Tour start last season but has been keeping sharp by playing on the Alps Tour. He is excited by the prospect of teeing it up in Dublin at the end of the month.

“It’s great to have a Challenge Tour event in Ireland,” he said. “I’ve played a few events now in Ireland since I turned pro. This year’s event at Portmarnock Links is only five minutes from where I live so it’s great to have it on the schedule.

“We have such a great array of golf courses in Ireland and it’s great to be able to showcase them. This one will showcase everything that people stereotypically know Ireland for.”

Portmarnock provides a real test

The Championship course at Portmarnock Links was designed by two-time Masters Champion and former World Number One Bernhard Langer. It traverses the North Dublin dunes, a natural terrain to please the most ardent of links purists.

It will provide a true test of golf to the stars of the Challenge Tour and McBride believes it is incomparable to any other course on the Road to Mallorca.

“It’s going to be different. It all depends on the conditions,” he said. “If it’s calm, it plays completely different to if there’s wind.

“Portmarnock Links is a great links, it really is. You can’t really compare it to any other course on the Challenge Tour because we don’t play anything like it. It is a proper links golf course; there’s no half-links. It’s fully on the coast, there’s hills, there’s undulations and it’s firm and fast. It’s a really good course.

“You’d love to win the Irish Challenge. You’d love to win anytime on the Challenge Tour, I wouldn’t mind if it was in Italy, France, wherever, I’d like to win one way or another. If I had to pick, I’d pick Ireland but I’m certainly not limiting it to just that.”

The Irish Challenge is the sixth event on the 2021 Road to Mallorca International Schedule. It comprises 26 tournaments in 16 countries across the world.

The top 20 players on the Road to Mallorca Rankings at the conclusion of the Challenge Tour Grand Final at T-Golf & Country Club, Mallorca, will earn full playing privileges on the European Tour in 2022.

John Cooney on injury list after neck injury

The Ulster Rugby Medical Performance team has issued a squad update ahead of Friday’s Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup fixture against Leinster Rugby at RDS Arena.

Marcus Rea suffered a concussion in the recent Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup game against Munster Rugby and will now follow the Graduated Return to Play Protocols.

John Cooney, who sustained a neck injury in the Challenge Cup semi-final fixture versus Leicester Tigers; and Kieran Treadwell, following an ankle injury in training, have joined the current injured list and are unavailable for selection.

Squad updates in association with The Ulster Independent Clinic.

Six Nations Rugby has commenced joint long form contract discussions with Virgin Media Television and RTÉ.

The agreement will ensure all three Six Nations Championships are shared between the two broadcasters.

It is envisaged that all three Championships will be shared in a balanced way. It will see RTÉ Sport again broadcast games from the Men’s Guinness Six Nations. Virgin Media Television will diversify its coverage to include the Women’s Six Nations and Men’s Under 20’s Championships.

Agreement Welcomed

Welcoming the news, Ben Morel, Chief Executive of Six Nations Rugby, said:

“I am delighted that we have agreed the principles of a unique three-party partnership with Virgin Media and RTÉ. They have chosen the Six Nations to build such a strong and compelling collaboration around all our competitions. It will be to the benefit of our sport, our unions and of Rugby fans in Ireland.”

Joining Morel in welcoming the news, Philip Browne, IRFU CEO, said,

“Rugby is a participation sport and one that has always, and will always, strive to ensure a balance between finance and exposure. It is a win-win for all involved.”

Mick McCaffrey, Head of News and Sport at Virgin Media Television said:

“Virgin Media Television are very excited about this historic agreement which guarantees that the Six Nations competitions will continue to be available to Irish rugby fans on Free-to-Air Television.”

Dee Forbes, Director-General, RTÉ, said of the agreement:

“This agreement represents a win for the Irish public as two broadcasters come together to deliver the Six Nations Tournaments Free-to-Air, to the widest possible audience in Ireland.”

Ireland fourth in Prague Nations Cup

Ireland’s showjumping team finished fourth in the Prague Nations Cup at the weekend.

Michael Blake’s team was made up of Galway’s Michael Duffy, Sligo’s Richard Howley, Mayo’s Michael G Duffy and Louth’s Mark McAuley.

Ireland looked to to have made a good start to the competition when Michael Duffy was clear approaching the last part of the course with Zilton SL Z. The 10-year-old gelding lost his footing on landing after the third last fence, meaning Duffy had to circle, picking up  four jumping and four time faults as a result.

Sligo’s Richard Howley and Arlo De Blondel had 4 faults at the very last fence and a time fault.

Mayo’s Michael G Duffy with Lapuccino 2 (ISH) also finished with five faults.

Louth’s Mark McAuley with Jasco VD Bisschop delivered a vital clear which meant Ireland made the cut for the second round.

The second round saw Ireland improve. Duffy and Zilton SL Z finished with just a time fault second time out.

Howley and Arlo De Blondel lowered a single fence for 4 faults, with Michael G Duffy and The Irish Sport Horse Lapuccino 2 adding a clear.

McAuley completed his double clear performance with Jasco VD Bisschop, leaving Ireland on a final score of 11 faults. They finished just over a fence off winners Czech Republic who lifted the trophy on home soil on a final score of six faults. Denmark finished on eight faults to claim runner-up spot, while halfway leaders Belgium finished third on nine faults.

 

RTÉ & Virgin Media to broadcast Guinness Six Nations

Six Nations Rugby has commenced joint long form contract discussions with Virgin Media Television and RTÉ.

The agreement will ensure all three Six Nations Championships are shared between the two broadcasters.

It is envisaged that all three Championships will be shared in a balanced way. It will see RTÉ Sport again broadcast games from the Men’s Guinness Six Nations. Virgin Media Television will diversify its coverage to include the Women’s Six Nations and Men’s Under 20’s Championships.

Agreement Welcomed

Welcoming the news, Ben Morel, Chief Executive of Six Nations Rugby, said:

“I am delighted that we have agreed the principles of a unique three-party partnership with Virgin Media and RTÉ. They have chosen the Six Nations to build such a strong and compelling collaboration around all our competitions. It will be to the benefit of our sport, our unions and of Rugby fans in Ireland.”

Joining Morel in welcoming the news, Philip Browne, IRFU CEO, said,

“Rugby is a participation sport and one that has always, and will always, strive to ensure a balance between finance and exposure. It is a win-win for all involved.”

Mick McCaffrey, Head of News and Sport at Virgin Media Television said:

“Virgin Media Television are very excited about this historic agreement which guarantees that the Six Nations competitions will continue to be available to Irish rugby fans on Free-to-Air Television.”

Dee Forbes, Director-General, RTÉ, said of the agreement:

“This agreement represents a win for the Irish public as two broadcasters come together to deliver the Six Nations Tournaments Free-to-Air, to the widest possible audience in Ireland.”

Ireland Sevens Squad, Fixtures and Results for 2021

This page will have all the Ireland Sevens Squad, Fixtures and Results for 2021, plus squad updates and world ranking.

Squads

Ireland Men’s and Women’s Sevens squads for this weekend’s International Rugby 7s tournament at St George’s Park.

The three-day tournament is being hosted by GB Sevens and will take place between 15-17 May at the Football Association’s National Training Centre at St George’s Park.

A return to competition rugby is a welcome boost for the Ireland squads and an important building block as they gear up towards a busy summer schedule, with Ireland Men preparing for June’s World Rugby Sevens Repechage, the final qualification event for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Billy Dardis will once again captain the Ireland Men, with Eddy selecting a 16-player squad for this weekend’s tournament.

Munster Academy Players Alex Kendellen, Conor Phillips and Jack Crowley, who starred for Ireland U20s last season and this year made his senior debut for the Province, are all included for the first time having trained with the squad at the IRFU High Performance Centre in recent months.

Ulster’s Aaron Sexton, Ben Moxham and Jude Postlethwaite, and former Leinster centre Gavin Mullin, are also named in the panel alongside the likes of Dardis, Jordan Conroy, Terry Kennedy, Aaron O’Sullivan and Hugo Lennox, who have all featured for Ireland on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

Ireland Men will face hosts Great Britain and USA, with each team playing two games per day and points to be gained towards the final standings throughout the three days.

Lucy Mulhall, meanwhile, will lead an exciting 16-player Ireland Women’s squad into their first competitive action of the season, as they go head-to-head with hosts Great Britain and France.

Having recently featured in the Women’s Six Nations for Adam Griggs’ Ireland, Stacey Flood, Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, Eve Higgins, Grace Moore, Brittany Hogan and Emily Lane are all included, while Méabh Deely, Aoibheann Reilly and Kate Farrell McCabe, who have all come through the IRFU Women’s Development Pathway, will hope to impress further on the international stage.

Commenting ahead of the tournament, Eddy said: “We are really looking forward to getting back to international competition and actually play some matches.

“This tournament provides a great opportunity to build towards the summer ahead and it is great preparation for the Men’s team leading into Monaco and the Olympic Repechage Tournament in June. Both our Men’s and Women’s teams will be exposed to some quality opposition throughout the tournament and the competition should be intense.

“We are very grateful for the opportunity and thankful for all the work that has taken place behind the scenes to allow us to participate in the tournament.”

Ireland Men’s Sevens Squad For International Rugby 7s:

Alex Kendellen (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Aaron O’Sullivan (Blackrock College/Leinster)
Gavin Mullin (UCD)
Ian Fitzpatrick (Lansdowne)
Jude Postlethwaite (Banbridge/Ulster)
Conor Phillips (Young Munster/Munster)
Billy Dardis (Terenure College)(Captain)
Sean Cribbin (Suttonians)
Hugo Lennox (Skerries)
Jack Crowley (Cork Constitution/Munster)
Ben Moxham (Ballymena/Ulster)
Terry Kennedy (St Mary’s College)
Rory Scholes (Irish Sevens)
Jordan Conroy (Buccaneers)
Duran Krummeck (Irish Sevens)
Aaron Sexton (Malone/Ulster).

Ireland Women’s Sevens Squad For International Rugby 7s:

Claire Boles (Railway Union/Ulster)
Megan Burns (Tullamore/Leinster)
Amee Leigh Murphy-Crowe (Railway Union/Munster)
Méabh Deely (Blackrock/Connacht)
Katie Fitzhenry (Blackrock/Leinster)
Stacey Flood (Railway Union/Leinster)
Katie Heffernan (Mullingar/Railway Union/Leinster)
Eve Higgins (Railway Union/Leinster)
Brittany Hogan (DCU/Ulster)
Emily Lane (Blackrock/Munster)
Maeve Liston (Blackrock/Ulster)
Kate Farrell McCabe (Suttonians/Leinster)
Grace Moore (Railway Union/IQ Rugby)
Lucy Mulhall (Rathdrum/Leinster)(Captain)
Deirbhile Nic a Bhaird (Old Belvedere/Munster)
Aoibheann Reilly (Blackrock/Connacht).

International Rugby 7s Schedule:

Saturday 15th May:

Men:

  • Ireland v Great Britain, 10am
  • Ireland v USA, 1pm
  • Great Britain v USA, 4pm

Women:

  • Ireland v France, 10.22am
  • Great Britain v France, 1.22pm
  • Great Britain v Ireland, 4.22pm

Sunday 16th May:

Men:

  • Ireland v USA, 10am
  • Great Britain v USA, 1pm
  • Great Britain v Ireland, 4pm

Women:

  • Great Britain v France, 10.22am
  • Ireland v France, 1.22pm
  • Great Britain v Ireland, 4.22pm

Monday 17th May:

Men:

  • Ireland v USA, 10am
  • Great Britain v Ireland, 1pm
  • Great Britain v USA, 4pm

Women:

Francis Derwin wins GAIN Alltech Grand Prix in Barnadown

Athlone’s Francis Derwin and AHG Whiterock came out on top in the GAIN Alltech Grand Prix in Barnadown at the weekend.

Second to go in a strong jump-off, the pairing made it look easy as they delivered a clear in 31.69 seconds. The combination took the lion’s share of the €4,000 in the Cooley Farms sponsored round.

AHG Whiterock Cruise Down, owned by Francis Derwin, has no shortage of experience. The 12-year-old was also Kate Derwin’s 2019 European Junior gold medal mount.

In total, 77 combinations contested this round. Thirteen delivered clear rounds first time out. Of those in the top six line-up, three horses were just eight-year-olds.

The runner-up spot was filled by the Autumn Grand Prix Champion, John McEntee and Hip Girl. They went clear in 34.63 seconds. Hip Girl is a 12 -year-old Swedish Warmblood mare.

Filling third place on was Dean Rogan, riding De L’ Oiseliere. Going mid-way in the jump-off, they delivered a clear in 34.87 seconds.

A clear in 35.33 seconds for Kevin Gallagher and ESI Star Struck saw them take fourth place. Clem Mc McMahon crossed the line with nothing to add aboard TJM Amour Fou in 38.13 seconds for fifth place.

Completing the top six line-up was last week’s Grand Prix winner Tim MacDonagh. The Galway rider was partnering his own Hollypark Pacino.

The Current National Grand Prix Champion, Derek McConnell and Dothraki Warlord were last of the double clears in 39.39 seconds for seventh place.

Ireland to play Japan and USA in July

Ireland will play two Test matches in July against Japan and the USA at the Aviva Stadium.

On 3 July 2021, Andy Farrell’s Ireland side will play Japan in Dublin. The sides last met at the Rugby World Cup in 2019 when Jamie Joseph’s side came out 19-12 winners at the Ecopa Stadium in Shizuoka.

On Saturday 10th July 2021, the Irish side will host the USA in Dublin. Ireland were comfortable 57-14 winners over the Americans the last time the sides met at the Aviva Stadium in November 2018.

The fixtures are subject to final agreement and further details will be announced in due course.

Ireland Head Coach, Andy Farrell, said of the fixtures announced:

“We now have two games at home to focus on which will be great for the group. There have been some strong individual performances in the Rainbow Cup over the past couple of weeks and there are plenty of opportunities for players to put themselves in the frame for selection for the international window in July.”

Ireland Fixtures July 2021

IRELAND v Japan
Saturday 3rd July, 2021
Aviva Stadium 

IRELAND v USA
Saturday 10th July, 2021
Aviva Stadium

Ireland’s Fittest Family – Applications Open for 2021 TV Show

Ireland’s Fittest Family is a must-watch at 6:30 pm on a Sunday and applications have opened for the 2021 TV Show.

Now in its ninth series, this year will see the competition be more challenging than ever before!

We are scouring the country to find the fittest, fastest and strongest families to be coached to victory by our four returning coaches, Davy Fitzgerald, Anna Geary, Derval O’Rourke and Donncha O’Callaghan.

 

Mairéad Ronan is back to host the highly competitive tournament too. Given the current Covid-19 pandemic, the production will follow HSE guidelines to ensure that strict social distancing and health and safety is adhered to throughout the competition by all crew and families taking part.

Does your family have what it takes to win the €15,000 cash prize and be crowned Ireland’s Fittest Family? If so, apply now!

 

Requirements:

* Minimum age is 14 years old by 01 July 2021

* Each family must be comprised of four immediate members

* Series will be filmed between July – September, 2021

 

Please find a link to the Ireland’s Fittest Family 2021 promo here on the RTÉ One Facebook page: https://fb.watch/5qfntKZ-kA/

 

More information and the link for an online application form can be found at www.rte.ie/irelandsfittestfamily

Rainbow Cup Rugby – Where to Watch – TV Listings for all matches

Where can I watch Rainbow Cup rugby matches? What TV stations will be showing the matches live?

All games will be available live across the Guinness PRO14 network of broadcasters: Premier Sports, Super Sport, eir Sport and DAZN with S4C and TG4 showing selected live free-to-air matches, deferred coverage and highlights throughout the Rainbow Cup.

Full kick-off details for the Rounds 4-6 of the Guinness PRO14 Rainbow Cup are below.

 

Round 3 (North & South) – Friday, May 14

Munster v Connacht – KO 18:00

Thomond Park, Limerick | Host Broadcaster: eir Sport

 

Leinster v Ulster – KO 20:15

RDS Arena, Dublin | Host Broadcaster: eir Sport

Saturday, May 15

Emirates Lions v DHL Stormers – KO 12:30 UK / 13:30 SA

Emirates Airlines Park, Johannesburg | Host Broadcaster: SuperSport

Please note change to previously advertised KO time of 13:00 UK / 14:00 SA

 

Scarlets v Cardiff Blues – KO 15:00

Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli | Host Broadcaster: Premier Sports

 

Benetton v Zebre – KO 17:15 UK / 18:15 ITA

Stadio de Monigo, Treviso | Host Broadcaster: DAZN

 

Vodacom Bulls v Cell C Sharks – KO 17:15 UK / 18:15 SA

Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria | Host Broadcaster: SuperSport

 

Edinburgh v Glasgow Warriors – KO 19:35

BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh | Host Broadcaster: Premier Sports

Sunday, May 16

Dragons v Ospreys Rugby – KO 13:00

Rodney Parade, Newport | Host Broadcaster: Premier Sports

Round 4 (South) – Saturday, May 22

Cell C Sharks v DHL Stormers – KO 12:00 UK / 13:00 SA

Jonsson Kings Park, Durban | Host Broadcaster: SuperSport

 

Emirates Lions v Vodacom Bulls – KO 14:30 UK / 15:30 SA

Emirates Airlines Park, Johannesburg | Host Broadcaster: SuperSport

 

Round 4 (North) – Friday, May 28

Munster v Cardiff Blues – KO 19:35

Thomond Park, Limerick | Host Broadcaster: eir Sport

 

Saturday, May 29

Ulster v Scarlets – KO 15:00

Kingspan Stadium, Belfast | Host Broadcaster: Premier Sports

Benetton v Connacht – KO 17:15 UK / 18:15 ITA

Stadio di Monigo, Treviso | Host Broadcaster: DAZN

Dragons v Glasgow Warriors – KO 19:35

TBC | Host Broadcaster: S4C

Please note the venue for the Dragons v Glasgow Warriors game will be confirmed in the very near future

Round 5 (North & South) – Friday, June 4

Vodacom Bulls v DHL Stormers – KO 18:00 UK / 19:00 SA

Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria | Host Broadcaster: SuperSport

 

Connacht v Ospreys Rugby – KO 18:00

The Sportsground, Galway | Host Broadcaster TG4

 

Glasgow Warriors v Leinster – KO 20:15

Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow | Host Broadcaster: Premier Sports

Saturday, June 5

Edinburgh v Ulster – TBC

BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh | Host Broadcaster: Premier Sports

Emirates Lions v Cell C Sharks – KO 15:00 UK / 16:00 SA

Emirates Airlines Park, Johannesburg | Host Broadcaster: SuperSport

Cardiff Blues v Zebre Rugby Club – TBC

Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff | Host Broadcaster: S4C

Please note the kick-off times for the Edinburgh and Cardiff home games will be confirmed in the very near future

Round 6 North & South – Friday, June 11

Zerbe Rugby Club v Munster Rugby – KO 18:00 UK / 19:00 ITA

Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma | Host Broadcaster: DAZN

Leinster v Dragons – KO 20:15

RDS Arena, Dublin | Host Broadcaster: eir Sport

Saturday, June 12

DHL Stormers v Emirates Lions – KO 15:00 UK / 16:00 SA

Cape Town Stadium, Cape Town | Host Broadcaster: SuperSport

Cell C Sharks v Vodacom Bulls – KO 17:15 UK / 18:15 SA

Jonsson Kings Park, Durban | Host Broadcaster: SuperSport

Ospreys v Benetton – KO 19:35 UK / 20:35 ITA

TBC | Host Broadcaster: Premier Sports

Please note the venue for the Ospreys v Benetton game will be confirmed in due course

Sunday, June 13

Scarlets v Edinburgh – KO 13:00

Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli | Host Broadcaster: Premier Sports

Swim Ireland Sends 24-Strong Team to European Aquatics Championships

Swim Ireland have confirmed a large team of 24 athletes (20 swimmers and 4 divers) for the LEN European Aquatics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, which begin today at the Duna Arena.

Divers:

Ciara McGing – Ohio State University

Clare Cryan – National Centre (Dublin)

Oliver Dingley – National Centre (Dublin)

Tanya Watson – National Centre (Dublin)

 

Irish Divers Schedule – ALL TIMES IRISH (Not Hungarian):

Tuesday, May 11 – 11:30 Clare Cryan – 1m Springboard – Final same evening after 18:30

Thursday, May 13 – 11:00 Tanya Watson & Ciara McGing – 10m Platform  – Final same evening after 18:30

Friday, May 14 – 11:00 Oliver Dingley – 3m Springboard – Final same evening after 18:30

Saturday, May 15 – 11:00 Clare Cryan – 3m Springboard – Final same evening after 18:30

 

Swimmers:

Brendan Hyland– National Centre (Dublin)

Conor Ferguson– Larne Swimming Club

Daniel Wiffen– Loughborough University

Danielle Hill– Larne Swimming Club

Darragh Greene– National Centre (Dublin)

Ellen Walshe– Templeogue Swimming Club

Eoin Corby– National Centre (Limerick)

Erin Riordan– National Centre (Dublin)

Finn McGeever– National Centre (Limerick)

Gerry Quinn– National Centre (Limerick)

Jack McMillan– Bangor Swimming Club

Jordan Sloan– Bangor Swimming Club

Max McCusker– Florida State University

Mona McSharry– University of Tennessee

Naomi Trait– Kilkenny Swimming Club

Niamh Coyne– National Centre (Dublin)

Paddy Johnston– Ards Swimming Club

Robbie Powell– National Centre (Dublin)

Shane Ryan– National Centre (Dublin)

Victoria Catterson– Ards Swimming Club

The focus for the divers will be on further preparation for the Olympic Games, with two athletes certain to be invited to Tokyo 2021 at this stage, whilst the other half of the contingent await further clarification on their Olympic status.

The focus for the swimming contingent will be on Tokyo 2021 relay qualification – this will be an attempt to qualify an Irish relay to the Games for the first time since 1972.

The quartet that competed for Olympic qualification at the FINA Diving World Cup in Japan last week will once again form the diving team, with Oliver Dingley, Clare Cryan, Ciara McGing, and Tanya Watson aiming for big performances after an exciting return to competition in Tokyo.

 

No Olympic qualification is available to the divers on this occasion, but the swimming team have been selected with a specific and clear aim of grabbing some of the remaining Olympic relay spots, which are still open to the world at large until the qualification period ends on May 31.

Olympic Relay Qualifying

The Olympic relay qualification process sees the 12 highest finishing nations in each Olympic relay event at the 2019 FINA World Championships (held in Gwangju, South Korea) having automatically qualified for the Games.

 

With a total of 16 Olympic slots available per relay, each event has four positions still available, with Ireland currently sitting in two Top-16 positions leading into this competition.

 

The Irish Men’s 4x100m Medley relay finished 14th at the 2019 World Championships, whilst the Men’s 4x200m Freestyle relay finished 16th.

 

These positions must be secured further with faster times produced than those achieved in Gwangju, with the Championships in Budapest being the last opportunity for European nations to achieve this.

An Irish team in the Mixed 4x100m Medley relay has also been selected for Budapest, as has a quartet for the Women’s 4x100m Medley and 4x100m Freestyle relay events.

 

Ireland’s hopes and chances of qualifying one or more of these teams to Tokyo could not be more evenly spread across these five key events, with many other European nations feeling that a similar opportunity is also in their hands.

Swimming Team Line-Up

The Irish Team includes the four swimmers who have already achieved Olympic Consideration Times for individual events – Shane Ryan, Darragh Greene, Daniel Wiffen and Mona McSharry – as well as Irish Senior Record holders Brendan Hyland, Conor Ferguson, Danielle Hill, Ellen Walshe and Jack McMillan and Irish Junior Record holders Paddy Johnston and Eoin Corby.

 

Bangor’s Jordan Sloan brings key experience as a member of seven of the eight relay teams who hold Irish Senior Records in 50m competition and seven of the 10 relay teams which hold Irish Senior Records in 25m competition.

 

National Centre Dublin’s Niamh Coyne also holds multiple Irish relay records, as does Victoria Catterson, who will be making her European Championships debut.

 

Ireland’s most recent Irish Senior Record-holder Finn McGeever will also be making his debut appearance at a European Championships, as will Gerry Quinn, Naomi Trait, Erin Riordan and Max McCusker.

 

McGeever, who trains at National Centre (Limerick), earned his first Irish Senior Record at the Irish National Team Trials last month with a surprise 3:53.83 in the 400m Freestyle.

Ireland has ‘clear intent and purpose’

Swim Ireland’s National Performance Director Jon Rudd said: “For our swimmers, this event has an explicit relay focus as far as we are concerned, and the athletes are aware that this is the absolute priority for these Championships.

 

“There is nothing more honourable in our sport than representing your nation in a relay event and this team have been selected with one purpose in mind – that of Olympic relay qualification.

 

“The team is littered with high quality athletes, and we will be doing all we can to see at least one Irish relay team feature at an Olympic Games for the first time in 49 years.

“For our divers, it’s off a plane from Tokyo and onto a plane to Budapest in the quest for much needed international competition leading into the summer, something that we have all missed so much in the last 14 months.

“Across swimming and diving, it is a large team, and it has been selected with a clear intent and purpose.”

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