Ellen celebrates bronze at World Championships

Dublin People 25 Jul 2015

Ireland’s Paralympic swimmers Ellen Keane and Darragh McDonald pictured with their bronze medals at Dublin Airport on their return from the 2015 IPC Swimming World Championships. PHOTO: PIARAS Ó MÍDHEACH/SPORTSFILE

ELLEN Keane ensured the Irish team finished the Paralympic Swimming World Championships on a high when she set a new lifetime best to win bronze in the 200m Individual Medley final in Glasgow.

The Clontarf swimmer clawed her way back from fourth at the final turn to overcome Madeline Scott of Australia right at the finish and snatch the bronze medal in 2:40.31.

Having missed out on a medal in this event at last year’s European Championships, finishing fourth, the result demonstrated the progress Ellen has made in that time.

The Northsider said she was delighted with her performance.

“I didn’t think I got third,

? she said.

“I looked at the clock and registered my time and was happy with my PB, then saw the

‘3’ and couldn’t believe it.

“I’m just so delighted and especially for my parents after dressing up in their Irish suits all week!

Irish team manager Hayley Burke said:

“Ellen was just so calm and in control going into that race and it all went right for her.

“She thoroughly deserved that medal after the year she has put in. Credit to her coach Dave Malone.

Ailbhe Kelly (16), from Castleknock, took a major step forward in her international swimming career.

Alibhe produced one final appearance, lifetime best swims in each of her three events, and the significance of attaining a Rio MQS (minimum qualifying standard) in one of them.

Darragh McDonald also won a bronze medal while Nicole Turner (13) made the final in each of the six events she competed in.

Jonathan McGrath and James Scully were the other two members of the Irish team, the latter finishing sixth in the final of his main event, the 200m Freestyle.