Enniskillen’s Ellie McCartney has claimed LEN European Junior Championships bronze in the 200m Individual Medley.
McCartney joins four Irish swimmers as medal winners at the event. Including Grainne Murphy, Sycerika McMahon, Mona McSharry and Conor Ferguson.
The 18-year-old from Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh had been fourth overall in the heats (2:16.48) and semi-final (2:14.93). Indeed, McCartney had the swim of her life to move up the rankings to third and claim her first international medal.
“I’m speechless after tonight’s final” said a delighted McCartney. I’m “delighted to have earned a medal on the final race of my junior career. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my coaches, teammates and parents”.
Whereas, Great Britain’s Leah Schlosshan set a new Championship Record to claim gold in 2:12.41 at the championships in Serbia, Belgrade. While, British team-mate Phoebe Cooper took silver in 2:13.28.
In 2009 Grainne Murphy won gold in the event in 2:14.22.
McCartney, swims at the National Centre Ulster and is a member of Ards Swimming. Put in a personal best performance when it counted most, clocking 2:14.31.
Ellie McCartney 🤝 European Medallist
What a way to finish European Juniors for #TeamIreland
Catch up on a memorable afternoon in Belgrade 👇https://t.co/HzNBoUCfNb
📷 Istvan Derencsenyi/LEN pic.twitter.com/MVx6bxFoR8
— Swim Ireland (@swimireland) July 9, 2023
Earlier, Cora Rooney, Molly Mayne, Alana Burns-Atkin and Grace Davison combined for a time of 4:16.28 for 15th place overall in the Women’s 4x100, Medley Relay.
