Robinson produces hat-trick of records

The two most significant aspects to emerge from the National Championships in Lisburn were clearly defined - Emma Robinson strengthened her claim for an Olympic place and the new eight-lane Antrim pool is among the fastest in the country.

Robinson took full advantage of the occasion to attract the attention of the OCI selectors by producing three Irish senior records in three days. She posted her intentions early on in her first event, the 200 metres breaststroke, with an exciting two minutes 32.13 seconds, which shattered the eight-year-old record held by former Irish international Sharlene Brown.

Robinson, from Bangor, went on to trim the 50-metres and 100 metres records with times of 33.76 and 1:09.31.

Colin Lowth was the easy winner of the 200-metres butterfly for men . His two minutes 04.46 seconds was outside his best and the Cormorants man will be waiting anxiously for his best long-course time of 2:01.96 seconds to be given due consideration for Sydney.

Andrew Bree of Ards was in prolific form, lifting six titles and dominating the breaststroke and medley events. He was particularly pleased with his swims over the 100-metres breaststroke and the 400-metres individual medley, narrowly failing in both to equal Gary O'Toole's longstanding records.

Lee Kelleher of Cork also lifted six titles in butterfly and individual medley while Niamh Cawley of Claremorris showed dominance in 50 to 200 metres backstroke and freestyle events Cormorants' top star Nicola Pepper dominated the longer freestyle distances from 200 to 800 metres.

Hugh O'Connor demonstrated strong versatility by giving the promise of a sub-50 seconds 100 metres in the heats with a 50.12. He remained on course at 75 metres to attain his target in the final, but his pace slackened to finish with a time of 50.31 seconds.

The six-strong Irish team at the European junior championships in Dunkirk failed to reach the finals but were happy enough with a collection of personal-best times.

Stephen Manley broke the minute barrier in the 100-metres butterfly, returning a 59.25, and went on to record times of 25.74 (50-metres) and 55.36 (100 metres). Michael Ahearne recorded personal bests in the 50, 100 and 200-metres backstroke. Deirdre Hughes and Louise McLoughlin had their best-ever swims in backstroke and freestyle and Sinead Tyrrell went 31.19 seconds in the 50-metres butterfly.