Scully set for world championships
Ratoath man James Scully has been included on the Paralympics Ireland team of six to compete at the Paralympic Swimming (IPC) World Championships in Glasgow from 13th - 19th July.
The team, which is sponsored by Allianz, is made up of four previous Paralympians and two newcomers. Double Paralympians (Beijing 2008 & London 2012) Darragh McDonald and Ellen Keane are joined by fellow London Paralympians Scully and Jonathan McGrath with teenagers Ailbhe Kelly and Nicole Turnercompleting the line up.
These Championships are a key milestone on the road to Rio 2016 Paralympic Games qualification. Swimmers who win gold and silver in their events earn automatic qualification slots for their country. For the others the highest possible finish is vital as the remaining slots are allocated based on world rankings in 2016.
Scully claimed two European bronze medals last year and will be targeting his best performances in the 100m and 200 Freestyle. However, the top ranked swimmers in both of those events are outside of Europe so he will need to swim lifetime bests to be in with a chance of contesting the medals.
IRISH TEAM
James Scully, S5 class, NAC swim club, from Ratoath, Co. Meath
S5 Men’s 100m Freestyle; S5 Men’s 200m Freestyle; S5 Men’s 50m Freestyle; S5 Men’s 50m Backstroke
Ellen Keane, S9 class, NAC swim club, from Clontarf, Dublin 3
S9 Women’s 50m Freestyle; S9 Women's 100 m Freestyle; SB8 Women's 100 m Breaststroke; SM9 Women's 200 m IM; S9 Women's 100 m Backstroke; S9 Women's 100 m Butterfly
Ailbhe Kelly, S8 class, NAC swim club, from Castleknock, Dublin 15
S8 Women’s 400m Freestyle;S8 Women’s 100m Backstroke; S8 Women’s 100m Freestyle
Jonathan McGrath, S8, Limerick High Performance Swim team, from Killaloe, Co.Clare
S8 Men’s 100m Backstroke; S8 Men’s 400m Freestyle
Darragh McDonald, S6, UCD Swim team, from Gorey, Co.Wexford
S6 400m Freestyle; S6 100m Freestyle; S6 50m Freestyle
Nicole Turner, S6, Laois Marlins Swim team, from Portlaoise, Co.Laois
S6 50m Freestyle; 50m Butterfly; 100m Freestyle; 100m Breaststroke; 200m Individual Medley; 400m Freestyle
STAFF
Jim Laverty, National Coach
Hayley Burke, Team Manager
Mary Seery, Team support
Alan Swanton, Performance Analyst
Jon Faulkner, Physiotherapist
Ciara Sinnott O’Connor, Physiologist