David aims for PB at the Commonwealth Games

David, 20, a member of Invictus Swimming Club, says he is “excited” as he heads off to the Glasgow Games, which will be the biggest competition David has ever competed at.

David will swim the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 4 x 100m freestyle and 4 x 100m medley at the Games, which will begin on July 23.

Speaking about the news of his inclusion in the Northern Ireland team, David said: “It was good to be selected, this is the first major international team I’ve made.

“It just shows that all the hard work and all the early mornings have paid off.

“It’s exciting,” David added. “I’m looking forward to it.”

David, who is currently studying History and Politics at Loughborough University, says he hopes to swim under 50 seconds in the 100m free, which would be his own Personal Best.

“I’ll be racing against some incredibly fast people,” he stated. “In the 4 x 100m free and 4 x 100m medley it will be the four fastest guys from each of the nations so our aim is to try to get into the top 5.

“With my coach at Loughborough, Ian Hulme, who I’ve been working with this year, my best time has been 50.65, I hope to dip under 50.”

The Commonwealth Games may be David’s first major competition, but he certainly hopes it will not be his last.

“Hopefully I’ll still be swimming, I’d like to be at the Olympics in 2016 and I should still be around in 2018 for the Commonwealth Games again in Australia.”

David has been swimming with Invictus for two years.

He added: “Stephen McQuillan has really brought me on a lot, he brought me onto the next step before going to Loughborough.”

David hopes to attend the closing ceremony of the Games, as the opening ceremony will take place just before the swimming begins.

David’s mum will support him in Glasgow as she was able to get tickets for some events.