Wiffen twins reach European 1500m freestyle final

Daniel, who won Ireland’s first ever European short course gold medal on Tuesday night in the 400m freestyle, touched in 14:34.50, conserving his energy for the final. The 22-year-old has a best time of 14:14.45 in the event.

“My goal there was just to try and make it as easy as possible after last night. I’m happy to be first and in lane four for the final,” said Daniel:

Meanwhile, Nathan secured a first European final on his debut for Team Ireland at championship level. The Loughborough based swimmer, came home in 14:39.34, knocking a massive nine seconds off his previous best of 14:48.69.

“I’d said beforehand I want to make a final at my first international, and I’ve done that, very happy. I think I had a nine second pb. Towards the start I had to go with everybody, but it felt comfortable in the end,” said Nathan.

Tuesday night’s bronze medallist in the 400m individual medley, Ellen Walshe, was also back in action this morning in the 100m version of the event. She clocked 1:00.20 to progress to Wednesday evening’s semi-final.

Maria Godden, the first Irish swimmer in action this morning, made her European short course championships debut in the 200m backstroke. The National Centre Limerick swimmer was third in her heat in a personal best time of 2:07.10 and advances to the semi-final in twelfth place.

In the Men’s 50m freestyle, Tom Fannon was the best of three Irish swimmers and confirmed his semi-final place in 21.56.

Also competing in the men’s 50m freestyle were Dylan Registe and Oisin Tebite, with both clocking personal best times of 22.50 and 22.87 respectively.

In the 100m breaststroke, Liam O’Connor was second in his heat in a best time of 1:00.25 while Grace Davison touched in 1:02.47 in the 100m Individual Medley.

Shane Ryan will join Walshe, Godden and Fannon in action on Wednesday evening competing in the final of the men’s 50m backstroke.