Coyne, Hyland and Walshe finish on top in their respective races at the national team trials
By Daire Walsh
There were impressive triumphs for local swimmers Niamh Coyne, Brendan Hyland and Ellen Walshe on the final day of the Irish National Team Trials in Blanchardstown.
In the 200 metres breaststroke, Tallaght native Coyne (who represents the National Centre Dublin), came face-to-face with Templeogue’s Molly Mayne.
This was an event that Mona McSharry was initially set to compete in, but the Sligo woman (who has already secured a spot at the Olympic Games) ultimately opted out to leave it as a two-horse race.
The favoured Coyne led the way after 50 metres and remained in the ascendancy until the end. Having registered a time of 1:11.08 midway through, she eventually came home in a time of 2:27.45 with Mayne finishing at 2:33.37.
Like Coyne, Knocklyon man Brendan Hyland had just one opponent in the 100 metres butterfly – his good friend Paddy Johnston from the Ards club in Co. Down.
Narrowly in front of Johnston after 50 metres, his final time of 52.87 was enough to see off the challenge posed by his game rival.
When Ellen Walshe faced Amelia Kane in the 400 metres individual medley earlier this morning, the Templeogue swimmer was more than nine seconds behind her Ards counterpart.
It was felt Walshe was preserving energy ahead of their final reunion in the evening and so it proved.
Despite being adrift at the 100, 150 and 200 metre marks respectively, Walshe stormed ahead in the second half of the race and was full value for her victory in the end.
Over five seconds ahead after 300 metres, she came home in a time of 4:48.99.
It may not have been enough to reach the Olympic standards, but the triumvirate of Coyne, Hyland and Walshe can be pleased with the way they finished a busy week at the National Aquatic Centre.