From Swim Ireland 497 swimmers will make a splash this weekend at the Irish National Long Course Swimming Championships, which run from Thursday 29th – Sunday 2nd May at the National Aquatic Centre, Dublin.
For the first time ever, a 50-strong NCSA (National Club Swimming Association) team from the USA will compete at the Championships. The event has also attracted European Record holder (200m, 400m IM) Hannah Miley, as well as teams from Slovenia, Scotland, Wales and England.
Many of the Irish World Championship team will be in action, as the event is a qualifier for the upcoming major International events; the Junior and Senior European Championships and the World Short Course Championships. Tennessee-based Barry Murphy has flown home for the 4-day meet, and will be joined in the pool by top Irish stars Grainne Murphy, Nuala Murphy and Aisling Cooney.
Due to the large number of US swimmers due to compete in this National event, the number of foreign finalists will be capped at 6 swimmers total per event. All non-Irish swimmers will receive commemorative medals if they place within the top 3.
The NCSA All Star Team consists of 26 males and 26 females and was selected based on the results from the NCSA Junior National Swimming Championships, held last month in Orlando, Florida.
