Irish compete with the best

Three Irish swimmers are set to measure their abilities against the best competitors at the European short-course championships in Lisbon starting tomorrow.

Realistically the chances of Ulster's Emma Robinson, Andrew Reid and Leinster's Hugh O'Connor emerging from the semi-final stages are slim but Swim Ireland's policy to compete at this level is to be commended.

This policy recognises the competitor's right to compete in such events if they have attained the requisite qualifying or consideration times.

Such considerations are behind Swim Ireland's recent decision to send a team of 16 competitors to the British ASA's Winter nationals at Ponds Forge.

When it comes to assessing Irish prospects at European or World level competition, National coach Ger Doyle is realistic. He would be very surprised to see any of the Lisbon bound trio reaching a final. Worse still, is the consensus that the swimmers may not even reproduce their personal bests.

Familiarity with the short course pool is about the only advantage to be enjoyed by the Irish at this level. The Irish competitors will travel from Lisbon to Ponds Forge to join their 13 team-mates for competition from December 16th to 19th.

The numerical strength of the Ponds Forge team is yet another reminder for the Minister's department that such events require necessary financial assistance. The basic cost of funding this latest trip is in excess of £2000.

Much interest will focus on the performance of Chantal Gibney following her lengthy sojourn in Tampa Florida, working out with Peter Banks's top competitors. Banks was Gibney's coach some years ago at the Trojan Club . Nick O'Hare is also training in the US but is not listed for Ponds Forge.

SQUAD: Niamh Cawley, Fiona Kinsella, Nicola Pepper, Louise Robinson, Andrew Bree, Colin Lowth, Hugh O' Connor, Chantal Gibney, Lee Kelleher, Siobhain McNally, Emma Robinson, Graham Beegan, Neil Cameron, Muiris O'Riada, Andrew Reid, Michael Williamson.