Swimming: The first competition to be staged at Abbottstown was marked by a very special middle-distance swim, not surprisingly by Terenure College star Stephen Manley, last weekend.
All of the national squad competitors proved the new facility, short course in this instance, is conducive to creating new times, but Manley's performance over 400 metres was the best recorded here in 12 years.
Ken Turner's 1991 record for the distance had stood the test of time despite many attempts by worthy challengers to trim the standard. But Manley cut the pool down to size with a blistering 3:53.08, the only record broken at the meet.
Commonwealth Games finalist Andrew Bree and Emma Robinson were also in sparkling form as was Julie Douglas but there was noting to match the brilliance of Manley. National coach Ger Doyle, although impressed, pointed out the irony of Manley's situation which still sees him chasing a qualifying mark for the European short course championships at the same venue in December.
Bree and Robinson clocked qualifying times over 200 and 50 metres, respectively, to bring the number of Irish European qualifiers to three with Lee Kelleher of Cork having already qualified. Doyle is confident that up to 13 Irish competitors will attain their targets.
Meanwhile, Swim Ireland await a final decision from the Olympic Council regarding the numerical strength of the team for the European Youths Olympic Festival to start in Paris in the first week of July.
