The Irish Open Swimming Championships continued to produce thrilling performances at the Sport Ireland National Aquatic Centre in Dublin on Monday, as Mona McSharry and Grace Davison broke their second Irish records of the meet.
McSharry, who had already set a new Irish record in the 100m breaststroke on Sunday, smashed her own mark in the 50m breaststroke final, clocking 30.29 seconds to win gold and rank second in the world this year. The Tokyo Olympian improved on her previous record of 30.56, which she had set at the TYR Pro Swim Series in Knoxville in January.
“It feels amazing to break another record and get another personal best,” McSharry said. “I’m really happy with how I’m swimming and I’m looking forward to the rest of the meet.”
WATCH | 🎥
Mona McSharry is having quite the week at the Irish Open!
Hear what Mona had to say following her 50 Breast victory ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/ZqYyzWRzOY
— Swim Ireland (@swimireland) April 3, 2023
Davison, who had broken the Irish junior record in the 50m freestyle on Saturday, added the 100m freestyle record to her collection, touching fourth in the final in 56.93 seconds. The 16-year-old National Centre Ulster swimmer eclipsed Sycerika McMahon’s 2009 record of 57.06.
Davison’s 100m freestyle record came just 20 minutes after she had won the 400m individual medley final, clocking 5:08.39 for gold and the national title.
“I’m over the moon with my swims today,” Davison said. “I wasn’t expecting to break two records in one day, but I’m really proud of myself and grateful for all the support from my coaches and teammates.”
🎥 | WATCH
We caught up with Ards swimmer Grace Davison following her 400 IM win ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/gfyprC38me
— Swim Ireland (@swimireland) April 3, 2023
The women’s 100m freestyle final was a nail-biting affair, as Victoria Catterson, Danielle Hill, Erin Riordan and Davison battled for the national title. Catterson, of National Centre Ulster, got the touch for gold in 55.70 seconds, just one hundredth of a second ahead of Hill (Larne) in 55.71. Riordan (National Centre Dublin) was third in 56.01.
Hill bounced back from her narrow defeat to claim the 50m butterfly title in 26.96 seconds, with UCD’s Jena Macdougald (27.67) taking silver and Cora Rooney (Enniskillen Lakeland) bronze in 27.85.
The Irish Open Swimming Championships will conclude on Wednesday with more exciting races and potential records to be broken.
