The Irish Para Swimming Team returned to Dublin last night laden with medals after a successful week at the Para Swimming European Championships in Madeira, Portugal.

The team of six swimmers collected no fewer than 11 medals over the course of the week including three golds between Roisin Ni Riain and Nicole Turner.

Limerick swimmer Ni Riain had by far the busiest schedule of the week, with 6 races to contest, five of those with heat stages. She rose to the occasion and returns to Ireland with two gold medals, 3 silver and one bronze.

Paralympic gold medallist Ellen Keane competed in two events, coming away with silver in her preferred event the 100m breaststroke.

This was the last European Championships for Keane as she will retire after the Paralympic Games in Paris this summer.

Nicole Turner had an excellent week in the pool, coming away with one of each, gold silver and bronze. Her gold medal in the 50m freestyle on day 5 was the most exciting of her finals, ending with joint gold being awarded as Turner and her competitor touched the wall at the exact same time.

Dearbhaile Brady has experienced the world stage already having competed at the Para Swimming Championships last August in Manchester, however this was her first time at these European Championships.

Additionally, she competed in three events, a big step up from her one event at Worlds. She was delighted to claim her first ever medal at a major winning bronze alongside her teammate and idol Nicole Turner in the 50m freestyle final.

It was also a huge milestone for newcomer to the team Deaton Registe as he made his major championships debut with the team. He competed in one event, the 100m breaststroke final and finished 4th.

Barry McClements competed in two events over the week and was delighted to secure his first ever European Championships medal in the 100m butterfly.

 

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