Róisín Ní Riain successfully defended her European title in the 100m Backstroke S13 on another strong night for Ireland at the World Para Swimming European Championships in Kocaeli, Türkiye, while Dearbhaile Brady secured her second silver medal in the space of 24 hours.
The two medals bring Ireland’s tally to four with two days of competition remaining.
This was the performance Ní Riain had been building towards all week. The 22-year-old arrived in Türkiye as one of the established stars of the Irish team and as defending European champion in both the 100m Backstroke S13 and 100m Breaststroke SB13, having won six medals at the previous European Championships in Madeira in 2024.
She made certain of retaining the backstroke crown in emphatic fashion.
Fastest through the morning heats, the National Centre Limerick swimmer took control of the final from the start and never relinquished the lead, touching the wall in 1:06.21, 2.80 seconds clear of Italy’s Carlotta Gilli.
It was also a personal best and represented another significant championship performance from an athlete who has already won medals at Paralympic and World Championship level in the event.
“It feels pretty good,” said Ní Riain afterwards. “I’ve been looking forward to this swim all week. It’s my main event and my best shot.”
She admitted even she had not anticipated the time.
“To be able to improve on [the heat] and actually get a tiny personal best along with it, I’m so, so happy.”
“It’s a great feeling to hear Amhrán na bhFiann and to be able to stand on top of the podium,” she said, paying particular tribute to the coaches and physio who had helped get her to the championships.
“There was a lot of work put in this year to make it here and to get to the top of the podium. This one goes to them.”
Dearbhaile Brady then added another medal to Ireland’s collection with silver in a dramatic 50m Butterfly S6 final.
Twenty-four hours after taking silver in the 200m Individual Medley SM6, Brady led the butterfly final from the start and remained in front at halfway.
Italy’s Giulia Terzi gradually closed the gap over the second half before edging ahead in the final metres. Brady finished in 35.87, only 0.33 seconds from gold.
“I think I had a little bit more in me,” she said afterwards. “I think the second half of the race could have gone a bit better.”
The two Irish medallists have also been driving each other on through the week.
“Róisín and I were chatting earlier today and both wondered if we could do it again, if we could both make the podium again, and we did. Róisín and I get along quite well and motivate each other.”
It leaves Brady with two silvers from the championships while Ní Riain now has gold and silver, having finished second to Gilli in Wednesday’s 100m Freestyle S13 in a personal-best 1:00.52.
There was further valuable championship experience for Síomha Nic Brádaigh and Dylan Prenderville.
Nic Brádaigh reached her second final of the week in the 100m Backstroke S7, finishing sixth in 1:34.00.
While disappointed not to reproduce her morning performance, the Lisburn swimmer reflected on the significance of competing at this level with her family watching from the stands.
“Even being here, maybe six months ago, I didn’t think I would be,” she said.
Prenderville, one of six senior championship debutants selected for Kocaeli, reached the 50m Butterfly S6 final after setting a lifetime best of 41.31 in the morning heats. He returned to record 41.49 and finish eighth in his first European final.
“First European final and only upwards from here,” he said. “It feels pretty good to be eighth in Europe and put a title on it after all these years of hard work.”
Building Towards LA 2028
The results strengthen what has already been an encouraging championship for Irish Para swimming, combining medal-winning performances from its established international athletes with senior championship experience for the next generation.
Swim Ireland identified the European Championships as an important benchmark on the road towards the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games, with six members of the travelling squad making their senior championship debuts.
Six Irish swimmers are scheduled to return to the pool on Friday for the penultimate day of competition, with Ní Riain among those looking to add further to what is already an impressive Irish medal return.
The World Para Swimming European Championships continue at the Gebze Olympic Swimming Pool in Kocaeli through Saturday, September 12.
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Image Credit: Swim Ireland
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