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I don't believe it! McMahon qualifies for London 2012

17-year-old Sycerika McMahon is the latest member of Ireland’s Olympic party.

SYCERIKA MCMAHON BOOKED her place at the 2012 Olympics with a brilliant performance at the European Swimming Championships in Debrecen.

McMahon, 17, finished second in her 100m breaststroke heat this morning, setting a new Irish senior record in 1:08.37 and cracking the “A” standard qualifying time of 1:08.49.

The double European junior champion was the third fastest qualifier overall for the semi-finals, which take place later on this evening.

She will be joined there by Limerick’s Fiona Doyle who did just enough to progress as one of the 16 fastest swimmers, finishing fifth in her heat and 15th overall with a time of 1:10.16.

But there was disappointment for Ireland’s other representative, Shani Stallard, who could only manage a time of 1:12.28 and 39th place overall.

Tonight, Melanie Nocher will have her final shot at making the Olympic qualifying time when she competes in the final of the women’s 200m backstroke.

Nocher set a new Irish record of 2:11.68 in yesterday’s semi-finals but fell short of the 2:10.84 which she needs for a place in London.

Melanie Nocher breaks Irish 200m Backstroke record and qualifies for European finals

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    Mute Larry Roe
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    Sep 6th 2012, 7:45 AM

    brilliant so far ,brilliant athletes,brilliant atmosphere,enjoying every minute of it :)

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    Mute Edward Timoney
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    Sep 6th 2012, 1:02 PM

    These Paralympics are absolutely brilliant. Channel 4 giving super coverage, thanks be to jaysus I have sky. I bet RTE regrets not covering it now seeing its so popular and the Irish athletes are doing us so proud. I wonder will they now cover the Rio Paralympic.

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    Mute David Walsh
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    Sep 6th 2012, 9:23 AM

    The Alex Zinardi story must have a movie in it

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    Mute Mary Kavanagh
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    Sep 6th 2012, 5:15 PM

    I watch on UPC, on Channel 4. Setanta 1 is an extra pay channel. Setanta Ireland have highlights three times a day. It’s just brilliant and the Irish have excelled themselves.

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    Mute G
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    Sep 6th 2012, 10:22 AM

    I’m amazed at the amount of coverage these events get. As sports followers we are fascinated by who is the fastest man or woman over 100m on the planet, this is an age old tradition. Is anyone actually bothered who the fastest slightly blind man, man with one leg or woman in a wheelchair is. Pistorius is famous because he ran in the actual Olympics, the vast majority of people couldn’t name another paralympic competitor.

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    Mute Sean Flanagan
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    Sep 6th 2012, 11:09 AM

    It’s the adversity these athletes overcome to compete and succeed in the paralympics that has captured the imagination of the nation. They are inspirational and demonstrate the strength of human willpower. I’m actually disappointed there hasn’t been more coverage of the paralympics, particularly on RTE.

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