SWIMMING/ EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS:THREE IRISH competitors failed to emerge from the heats of the women's 100 metres freestyle on day two of the European Swimming Championships at Eindhoven.

Aisling Cooney, Clare Dawson and Melanie Nocher were placed well down the field after the nine heats of the event.

Dawson's heat time of 58.70 seconds was the best of the trio, but it was some way short of making the last 16 of the most competitive of events.

Nocher, who just failed to make the final of the 200 metres backstroke on Tuesday, used the 100 metres freestyle heats as a competitive training race as she continued her rehabilitation after being involved in a car crash prior to this week's championship, which meant she missed three days training.

"I was delighted with my 200 backstroke swim this week and I have the 100 back heats coming up today. I'm hoping to place in other swims this week. Obviously the 200 backstroke was my main event, but my 200 freestyle has come a long way as well," she said.

Nocher is back in the water today along with Cooney in the heats of the 100 metres backstroke. Nocher also competes in the 200 metres individual medley, while Gráinne Murphy swims heat one of the 800 metres freestyle

There were two new European records set last night as defending champion Milorad Cavic won the men's 50 metres butterfly in 23.11 seconds, breaking the record he set in the semi-finals, while Chantal Groot of the Netherlands won the 50 metres fly.

Alexander Dale Oen of Norway broke the 100 metres breaststroke record in taking gold in 59.76 seconds. Defending champion Hughes Duboscq of France took silver.

Laure Manadou of France, the new golden girl of international swimming, won the 100 metres backstroke.