Ferguson smashes Irish junior record

Larne Swimming Club’s Conor Ferguson made history when he became the first Ulster swimmer to break the two-minute barrier in the 200 metres backstroke at the Irish Short Course Nationals.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th Dec 2014, 13:04 BST
Larne's Conor Ferguson from Larne celebrates as he breaks the Irish junior record for the 200m backstroke. Photo: PresseyeLarne's Conor Ferguson from Larne celebrates as he breaks the Irish junior record for the 200m backstroke. Photo: Presseye
Larne's Conor Ferguson from Larne celebrates as he breaks the Irish junior record for the 200m backstroke. Photo: Presseye

The talented 15-year-old took 1.36 seconds off his own Irish junior record as he clocked 1:59.19 - a new Ulster senior record.

He also set another Ulster record as he won the 100 metres backstroke at last weekend meet in Lisburn.

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Commonwealth Games competitor Danielle Hill raced in six events, winning two golds, a silver and three bronze medals. In doing so, she set five Ulster junior records, breaking the 100 backstroke time set by two-time Olympian, Melanie Nocher.

Along with Sinead Gourley, Kendra Kemp, and Samantha Brown, Hill was also part of the club’s junior girls’ four by 50 metres medley relay team which claimed a silver medal.

Conor Brines showed he is a force to be reckoned with in the butterfly sprint events as he took fourth spot with new lifetime bests in both the 100 metres and the 50 metres events.

Gourley, Mark Doherty and Finn Purdy continued their very impressive development this season to record huge personal best times and top-16 finishes.

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Larne’s Head Coach, Peter Hill, is quietly confident this is just the start of what will be the biggest season in the club’s long history with swimmers working towards achieving qualifying times for the European Games, European Youth Olympics and World Youth Championships in 2015.

Related topics:Ulster