Hyland and co make strong opening statement for Ireland
By Daire Walsh
KNOCKLYON’S Brendan Hyland is helping Ireland make its presence felt at the 35th European Aquatics Championships in Budapest this week.
The National Centre and Tallaght Swim Club star was part of Ireland’s first-ever Mixed 4x200m Freestyle Relay team in Hungary, alongside Max McCusker (Florida State University), Naomi Trait (Kilkenny Swimming Club) and Victoria Catterson (Ards Swimming Club).
In a competition heat on Tuesday morning, this quartet registered a time of 7:51.24, setting the bar high for the freestyle final that took place later on the day, when Hyland and his team-mates surpassed that time by clocking in at 7:50.41.
Although it was only enough to claim an eighth-place finish, it was a highly competitive field and Hyland has every reason to be satisfied with his performances in this division.
Originally set to take place in May 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic ensured the European Championships were put on ice for a period of 12 months.
While it was a long wait, Hyland – as well as fellow local swimmers Ellen Walshe and Niamh Coyne – used recent swim meets as an ideal opportunity to build up a head of steam for their respective races in Budapest this week.
In particular, the Irish National Team Trials, which took place in Blanchardstown towards the end of April, saw all three competitors producing a series of impressive performances.
Hyland provided a firm indication of his enduring quality by defeating Paddy Johnston in the 100 metres butterfly final at the aforementioned Trials – his time of 52.87 helping him to see off the challenge of the Ards man.
On the final day of the trials, Walshe of Templeogue Swimming Club defeated Amelia Kane in the 400m Individual Medley, coming home in a time of 4:48.99.
Later today, she will be featuring in the Mixed 4x100m Medley Relay before going in the Women’s 4x100m Medley Relay.
Tallaght’s Coyne is another to watch out for and she will be aiming to leave a lasting impression in the Women’s 50m Breaststroke.
She got the better of Templeogue star Molly Mayne in the 200m Breaststroke at the National Trials last month, but will seek to alter her approach over a shorter distance.