Keane Bows Out; Ní Riain, McClements, Turner & Brady Advance to Finals
Day six of the Paralympic Games served up a thrilling morning for Team Ireland in the La Défense Arena with five Para swimmers in the water for the morning heats, a morning which included Róisín Ní Riain, Barry McClements, Nicole Turner and Dearbhaile Brady all advancing into tonight’s final. While Ellen Keane graced the pool for one final time before she hangs up her goggles.
It was an emotion filled morning in Paris as Ellen Keane said farewell to the swimming pool, a place she has called home for over 20 years and a place where she lifted the nation on several occasions, all while inspiring people across Ireland and further afield throughout her career which spanned over five Paralympic Games, her first as a 13-year-old in Beijing 2008.
At Tokyo 2020, the Clontarf local reached the pinnacle of her career, crowned the 100m Breaststroke (SB8) Champion. On Friday, we witnessed an agonising fourth place finish in the same event. This morning was about Keane going out on her terms, it was about soaking it all in, it was about enjoying the process, it was one last dance before bowing out. The darling of Irish Para swimming left the main stage for one last time, the breaststroke specialist dipped into the water for the 100m Backstroke (S9), clocking 1:17.63 to finish fifth in her heat and twelfth overall.
Speaking after her last ever Paralympic event, an emotional Ellen said: “It’s really hard to put into words how I’m feeling, I’m just so grateful, I’m glad that finished on an event that isn’t my main one because I just didn’t feel the pressure, I just wanted to go out there and enjoy what racing feels like and enjoy the routine of it. Even putting on my racing suit and then sitting in the call room waiting to compete I watched Barry (McClements) make the final and I was just so proud of him.
Keane added: “I keep crying but I don’t know why, my face just keeps getting wet. I don’t even know it’s happening. It’s a really emotional day. The support and love I have been getting from here, in Paris, at home in Ireland and across the globe has just been amazing. To have the support of my family and friends, even my dancing with the stars family has all been messaging me, I really really felt the love. Winne the Pooh said it best, when he said ‘how lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard’.”
Following her stunning silver medal last week, Róisín Ní Riain was back in the water for the 200m Individual Medley (SM13) Heat. The National Centre (Limerick) swimmer posted 2:30.75 to finish second in her heat and will head into tonight’s final as third fastest qualifier.
Speaking after the race she said, “It was a solid morning swim, and job done, it was good to get out. The plan was to feel good, have a good swim and make it back tonight (for the final) and I was able to do that so I’m happy out. I’d like to think I have more to give tonight, that’s always the aim for a final, is to swim faster than you do in the qualifying round.”
Barry McClements entered the La Défense Arena water for the first time this week to become a two-time Paralympian, competing in the 100m Backstroke S9 Heat. The National Centre (Ulster) swimmer clocked 1:05.36, finishing fourth in his heat and eight overall to secure a lane in tonight’s final.
Speaking after the event, McClements said: “I’m happy, the plan was to get into the final, I knew I just had to beat four people so I finished in eight and I think I can go faster tonight (in the final). My form has been building since Tokyo and I’ve been getting faster so I’m happy the hard work is paying off. I’m very happy, finals tonight and hopefully, I’ll get a PB.”
S6 duo Dearbhaile Brady and Nicole Turner took to the water in the 50m Butterfly Heat. Turner came third in the heat and fifth overall with a time of 38.10. Brady stopped the clock just after Turner with a time of 38.73, finishing fourth in her heat and qualifying sixth fastest overall to join Turner in the final tonight.
Turner said, “I’m okay. This morning was about staying loose, getting rid out the nerves, having fun and coming back later and do my thing. I’m happy.”
She added, “It’s all about being happy and having a bit of fun. It’s going to be really nice later on. All my friends and family will be there – my family were here the last day too – but all my friends came over last night. Those were the moments you missed from Tokyo. Tonight, will be really nice.”
Brade commented, “I felt very good, better than my 50m freestyle. They (nerves) were kind of there in the call room, but not as bad. I was ready to get in there and swim. It went according to plan. It was fast, I gave it everything as I wasn’t sure about a final.”
Tonight’s action will kick off with Barry McClements (16:37 IRE) heading to the blocks first, following by Brady and Turner at 17:05, Ní Riain will close out the evening at 19:04.
Results: Day 6 – 3rd September:
Men’s 100m Backstroke (S9) Heat: Barry McClements, 1:05.36 (8th), Q
Women’s 100m Backstroke (S9) Heat: Ellen Keane, 1:17.63 (12th)
Women’s 50m Butterfly (S6) Heat: Nicole Turner, 38.10 (5th), Q, Dearbhaile Brady, 38.73 (6th), Q
Women’s 200m IM (SM13) Heat: Róisín Ní Riain, 2:30.75 (3rd), Q
Schedule: Day 6 – 4th September:
Barry McClements – Men’s 100m Backstroke S9 Final: 16:37
Nicole Turner/Dearbhaile Brady – Women’s 50m Butterfly S6 Final: 17:05
Róisín Ní Riain – Women’s 200m SM13 Medley: 19:04
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