Brady and Brennan Medal on Night One in Barcelona
The Barcelona stop of the 2026 Para Swimming World Series got underway today, with seven Irish Para swimmers racing against some of the world’s top talent on the Para swimming circuit. Ireland reached the podium on two occasions this evening, as Dearbhaile Brady won silver in the 50m Butterfly (S6) final, while Luke Brennan picked up a youth silver in the 100m Freestyle (S8).
Dearbhaile Brady delivered the standout performance tonight, starting the meet strongly with a silver medal in the 50m Butterfly final (S6). The National Centre (Dublin) swimmer stormed through the water in 36.48 to stop the clock in second place, shaving 0.22 seconds off her heat swim (36.70).
Speaking after tonight’s final, Brady said: “I feel quite good. I mean, it’s still off my PB, but I’m happy with it. It’s the target to go quicker – if you have a heat and a final, you always want to come back faster. I’m very happy that I came back quicker in tonight’s final.”
Blackrock swimmer Luke Brennan, who made his international debut for Ireland in the same competition last year, clocked an impressive 1:07.25 to win youth silver in the 100m Freestyle (S8) final. Also swimming in the event was Irish teammate Luke O’Donoghue of Kingdom SC, who clocked 1:05.39 to finish in fourth place.
Following the final, Brennan said: “I’m delighted – it’s an amazing achievement. Last year I didn’t even make a final in this event; this year, to get a silver shows I’ve improved a lot, so I’m delighted. Honestly, wearing the Irish flag is the biggest honour to me. The medals are great, but the most important thing to me is wearing the Irish flag on my swim cap.”
Irish Para swimming superstar Róisín Ní Riain got her meet underway with a new lifetime best of 1:01.67 in the 100m Freestyle (S13). The National Centre (Limerick) swimmer returned to action tonight, going 1:01.68 in the final.
Another promising youngster, Ellie Lynch, returned to the water tonight to compete in the 100m Freestyle youth final (S9). The Celtic Waves swimmer clocked a new lifetime best in this morning’s heat with 1:13.19. Lynch returned to the blocks for tonight’s youth final, recording a time of 1:15.12.
Speaking tonight, Lynch said: “I felt strong in the water. I was quite tired after this morning, but I think I did quite well. To swim a new personal best this morning fills me with confidence – I was really happy with it, and I hope I can build on it for the rest of the competition. I’m looking forward to resting and recovering ahead of my main event tomorrow (100m Backstroke).”
Earlier today, two-time Paralympian Barry McClements went 1:01.18 in the 100m Freestyle (S9) heat, while fellow Paralympian Dearbhaile Brady recorded 1:19.34 in the S6 class of the same event. Another promising youngster, Maya Hogan of Asgard SC, clocked 1:11.49 in the S10 class of the 100m Freestyle.
Racing continues tomorrow, with all nine swimmers competing across nine events.
Thursday 19th March – Results
50m Butterfly (S6) Dearbhaile Brady H: 36.70 F: 36.48 (2)
100m Freestyle (S13) Róisín Ní Riain H: 1:01.67 (PB) F: 1:01.68
100m Freestyle (S8) Luke Brennan H: 1:08.25 F: 1:07.25 (3)
100m Freestyle (S9) Ellie Lynch H: 1:13.19 (PB) F: 1:15.12 (5)
100m Freestyle (S9) Luke O’Donoghue H: 1:05.57 F: 1:05.39 (4)
100m Freestyle (S6) Dearbhaile Brady H: 1:19.34
100m Freestyle (S9) Barry McClements H: 1:01.18
100m Freestyle (S10) Maya Hogan H: 1:11.49
Friday 20th March – Schedule
200m Freestyle
Sam Black (S14)
Deaten Registe (S14
100m Breaststroke
Róisín Ní Riain (SB13)
Dearbhaile Brady (SB6)
Deaten Registe (SB14)
Luke Brennan (SB8)
Maya Hogan (SB9)
Luke O’Donoghue (SB9)
Sam Black (SB14)
50m Backstroke
Dearbhaile Brady (S6)
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