James Scully set for Madeira challenge
Meath man James Scully from Ratoath has been included in the Paralympics Ireland team for the Paralympic (IPC) Swimming European Open Championships in Madeira next month from from Sunday 1st to Saturday 7th May.
The Irish team is sponsored by Allianz and also includes World Championship bronze medallist and double Paralympian (Beijing 2008 and London 2012) Ellen Keane along with fellow London Paralympians, Scully and Jonathan McGrath.
The team also features Ailbhe Kelly, who will appear at her second European Championships, and Nicole Turner who made her debut on the international stage at the 2015 World Championships, while 14-year-old Barry McClements is competing in his first international championship.
The Championships are the last chance for swimmers to secure qualification times for the upcoming Games in Rio.
However, due to the ‘open’ nature of the event, it is not just limited to European athletes, but instead, some of the best swimmers from around the world will also be competing.
“We’ve just returned from a really positive event in Holland, where the team trained hard and competed well. We have been fine-tuning final preparations since, and we are now in good shape heading into these Championships,” stated team manager, Hayley Burke.
National Aquatic Centre club swimmer James Scully claimed two European bronze medals in 2014, will be targeting Personal Best performances in the 100m and 200m freestyle.
Team for 2016 IPC Swimming European Open Championships
James Scully (Meath)
S5 class, NAC swim club
Events: S5 Men’s 100m Freestyle, S5 Men’s 200m Freestyle,S5 Men’s 50m Freestyle, S5 Men’s 50m Backstroke
Ellen Keane (Dublin),
S9 class, NAC swim club
Events: S9 Women’s 50m 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 (Dublin),
S8 class, NAC swim club
Events: S8 Women’s 400m Freestyle, S8 Women’s 100m Backstroke, S8 Women’s 100m Freestyle, S8 Women’s 50m Freestyle, SM8 Women’s 200m Individual Medley.
Jonathan McGrath (Clare)
S8, Limerick High Performance Swim team
Events: S8 Men’s 100m Backstroke, S8 Men’s 400m Freestyle, S8 Men’s 100m Freestyle, S8 Men’s 50m Freestyle, S8 Men’s 100m Butterfly, SB8 Men’s 100m Breaststroke, SM8 Men’s 200m Individual Medley.
Nicole Turner (Laois)
S6, Laois Marlins Swim team
Events: S6 50m Freestyle, 50m Butterfly, 100m Freestyle, 100m Breaststroke, 200m Individual Medley, 400m Freestyle.
Barry McClements (Down)
S9, Ards Swimming Club
Events: S9 50m Freestyle, S9 100m Freestyle, S9 400m Freestyle, S9 100m Backstroke, S9 100m Butterfly, SB8 100m Breaststroke, SM9 200m Individual Medley.