Irish and British stars topped the podium as the first Finals session of the 2020 McCullagh International took place at the Bangor Aurora in Co. Down this morning. The competition is replicating the same format that the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will run in July, with heats in the evening and finals the next morning. Ireland’s own Olympic trials will take place from 1-5 April at the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin.
2018 Commonwealth Champion in the 400IM, Aimee Wilmott, cruised to the first win of the morning in 4:39.63. The Stirling swimmer lead a British trio of medallists with Aberdeen’s Hannah Miley second in 4:44.60 and Scottish junior Katie Shanahan third in 4:47.95.
Larne’s Danielle Hill and Stirling’s Kathleen Dawson could not be separated in the Women’s 50m Backstroke. The duo went stroke for stroke in the Final, sharing the top spot on the podium in 28.35.
Marlin’s Mona McSharry took the win in the 100m Freestyle event in a time of 57.05, ahead of Kilkenny’s Maria Godden (57.58). Welsh International Alys Thomas won the 200m Butterfly final in 2:10.07, ahead of Loughborough’s Charlotte Atkinson in 2:11.47.
Another Olympic medallist was on the podium for the women’s 100m Breaststroke Final as Siobhan Marie O’Connor and Sarah Vasey both touched the wall in 1:08.15. Vasey is the current 50m Breaststroke Commonwealth Champion. McSharry was back on the podium for her second medal, claiming the bronze in 1:08.20.
Local Amelia Kane of Ards took the women’s 1500m Freestyle gold in 17:29.12. Competition continues this evening with Day 2 Heats from 4.30pm.
Finals Results:
Women 400m IM: 1st A Wilmott Stirling 4:39.63 2nd H Miley Aberdeen 4:44.60 3rd K Shanahan Scotland 4:47.95
Women 50m Backstroke: 1st D Hill Larne & K Dawson Stirling 28.35 3rd H West Loughborough 28.97
Women 100m Freestyle: 1st M McSharry Marlins 57.05 2nd M Godden Kilkenny 57.58 3rd C Morris Wales 57.97
Women 200m Butterfly: 1st A Thomas Sunderland 2:10.07 2nd C Atkinson Loughborough 2:11.47 3rd H Miley Aberdeen 2:16.16
Women 100m Breaststroke: 1st SM O’Connor Loughborough & S Vasey Loughborough 1:08.15 3rd M McSharry Marlins 1:08.20
Women 1500m Freestyle: 1st A Kane Ards 17:29.12 2nd K Bailey Perth City 17:35.87 3rd G Hodgins Trojan 17:56.13
