IRISH swimming coach Ger Doyle, believes the most important aspect of the World cup meeting in Gelsenkirchen in Germany last weekend was the exceptional opportunity it represented for swimmers like Lee Kelleher,

Adrian and Hugh O'Connor, Nick O'Hare and Michael Giles.

"Three world and three European records were set in Germany. It was easily the fastest meet I was ever at," said Doyle.

Despite the high quality of opposition Adrian O'Connor reached the 50 metres backstroke final. His fellow Olympian, O'Hare, was unlucky not to make the 50 metres freestyle final with 22.9 seconds. Giles went even closer by attaining the first reserve breaststroke final spot.

Irish junior record holder Hugh O'Connor was only marginally away from a place in the 100 metres backstroke final.

"To give an idea of the quality of the fields, 14 entrants for the 100 metres freestyle had swum under 50 seconds," said Doyle.

Lee Kelleher and Paul McCarthy also benefited greatly from the experience. Kelleher competed well without attaining any personal bests.

Kelleher, a pupil at Millfield College in England will not be able to defend her titles when the Irish Schools championships are staged at the Guinness pool in Dublin this weekend. She would in fact be likely to be named in the English schools side for the Four nations schools championship in Wales on St Patrick's weekend.

For the record, Adrian O'Connor went 26.00 seconds when finishing sixth in the 50 metres backstroke final in Gelsenkirchen.