Heartbreak for Hyland and Ireland team mates
By Stephen Leonard
THERE was disappointment for Tallaght Swim Club’s Brendan Hyland and his Ireland 4x100m Medley Relay team mates after they were disqualified in their heat at the European Championship in Glasgow today.
The team, which also included Conor Ferguson, Darragh Greene and Shane Ryan, appeared to have clinched the last spot for the final after finishing third in their heat behind Russia and Lithuania.
Brendan Hyland and his Ireland 4x100m Medley Relay team mates were denied a place in the European Championship Final. Picture: David Kiberd
But they were later disqualified for an illegal takeover after it was ruled that Greene had broken from the board just 0.08 seconds too soon.
Their finishing time of 3:36.36 would have also marked a new Irish Senior record.
Still, National Performance Director Jon Rudd remained positive saying, “It’s been bitter-sweet today with a wonderful relay performance that would have seen us into a major final being nullified through the takeover disqualification.
“But we know now what these boys can do and that’s exciting ahead of next season and a chance to qualify this relay for the Olympic Games.”
It has been a very encouraging championship for Hyland who set a new Irish record as he competed in the first of the 200m Butterfly semi-finals, finishing tenth overall in 1:57.28.
In the 100m Butterfly heats, the Knocklyon man swam his best morning time and second fastest ever time in the event, touching home in 53.37.
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