ADRIAN O'CONNOR was denied a hat trick of backstroke titles on the third and final day of the Speedo Super Grand Prix final in Sheffield's Ponds Forge pool last night.

The 24 year old won the 50 and 100 metres backstroke races but was edged out of the 200 metres backstroke by Dan Smith of Loughborough University. Smith won in two minutes 5.79 seconds, with O'Connor second in two minutes 6.36 seconds. Hugh O'Connor, Adrian's younger brother, was fifth in two minutes 7.67 seconds.

Nick O'Hare of Coolmine failed in his attack on the Irish 100 metres freestyle record. He touched fourth in 52.38 seconds. Chantal Gibney of Trojan reached the final of the women's 100 metres freestyle to touch sixth in 58.99 secs, for her second Irish junior record.

Colin Louth of Cormorant, fresh from exams, posted a creditable time in the 400 metres freestyle of four minutes 14.34 seconds, to finish seventh. Niamh Crawley of Trojan finished sixth in the 100 metres backstroke.