Alex Murphy qualifies for Irish World Champs team on opening day of Irish Championships

With only three swimmers previously under the nation’s qualifying times to swim at Worlds in Kazan, Russia this summer, Ireland’s national team will get a little bigger after the first day of Irish Nationals.

Alex Murphy went 27.56 to win the 50 breaststroke, sneaking under the Worlds cut after being just off it in prelims.

Murphy joins the previously-qualified Fiona Doyle, Sycerika McMahon and Chris Bryan.

Murphy was the only Worlds qualifier from night 1, but there were still some fireworks on opening night, including a new Irish Junior National record in the women’s 100 back.

That came courtesy fo Danielle Hill, who went 1:04.12 in the semifinals. She’s qualified 6th overall for tomorrow night’s final.

A group of young American swimmers made the trek to Ireland for the week, competing under the NCSA (National Club Swimming Association) banner. Matthew Hirschberger represented that group well, winning the men’s 1500 free in 15:29.08 to open the meet.

Team NCSA also won the girls 200 free with rising star Katie Drabot, who went 2:00.07, and the girls 50 breast with youngster Alexis Wenger (31.86).

NCSA went 1-2-3-4 in that women’s breaststroke event, with Olivia Anderson second (31.92), Ingrid Wall third (32.84) and Riley Scott fourth (32.95).

Brendan Hyland won his third consecutive Irish national title in the 200 fly, going 2:00.29. He’s the current national record-holder in the event, though he was still a bit off his record-setting time this week.

The meet will continue through Sunday. Here, courtesy of Irish Swimming, are the top three finishers in each event, and you can find full live results here.

Day 1 Results

Men 1500m Freestyle Final: 1^st M Hirschberger NCSA 15:29.08 2^nd G Springer NCSA 15:50.90 3^rd B Gibbons Athlone 15:51.34

Women 800m Freestyle Final: 1^st G Murphy New Ross 8:43.37 2^nd K Brent NCSA 8:46.70 3^rd L Stone NCSA 8:47.92

Men 200m Freestyle Final: 1^st F Johannessen 1:50.82 2^nd B O’Sullivan Aura Dundalk 1:52 .62 3^rd M Hirschberger NCSA 1:52.64

Women 200m Freestyle Final: 1^st K Drabot NCSA 2:00.07 2^nd M Moroney 2:02.01 3^rd A Wooden 2:02.88 4^th R Bethel Lisburn 2:03.72

Men 200m Butterfly Final: 1^st B Hyland Tallaght 2:00.29 2^nd Z Harting NCSA 2:00.82 3^rd Z Fong NCSA 2:02.23

Women 200m Butterfly Final: 1^st R Martin NCSA 2:12.69 2^nd L Case NCSA 2:13.06 3^rd C Cummings 2:18.46 4^th E Reid Ards 2:20.83

Men 50m Breaststroke Final: 1^st Alex Murphy UCD 27.56 2^nd I Finnerty NCSA 28.41 3^rd D Sweeney Sundays Well 28.73

Women 50m Breaststroke Final: 1^st A Wenger NCSA 31.86 2^nd O Anderson NCSA 31.92 3^rd I Wall NCSA 32.84 5^th N Kilgallen Claremorris 33.20

Men 4x100m Freestyle Team Relay: 1^st NCSA A 3:24.54 2^nd NCSA B 3:27.03 3^rd NCSA C 3:31.05 4^th Bangor 3:32.54

Women 4x100m Freestyle Team Relay: 1^st NCSA 3:45 49 2^nd NCSA 3:49.84 3^rd NCSA 3:51.86