Hyland plays his part in record-breaking displays
By Stephen Leonard
BRENDAN Hyland played his part in two national relay record-breaking displays that capped off a great performance by the Swim Ireland squad at the FINA World Champion-ships in South Korea last weekend.
The Tallaght Swim Club and National Centre competitor was part of both the Men’s 4x200m Freestyle and 4x100m Medley that set new national bests.
Tallaght Swim Club and National Centre swimmer Brendan Hyland enjoyed a hugely impressive World Championships that included two national relay record-breaking performances
In the latter on Sunday, the Butterfly specialist combined with Shane Ryan (Backstroke), Darragh Greene (Breaststroke) and Jordan Sloan (Freestyle) to finish in 14th place overall, just two places and .75 off the last Olympic Games qualification spot that went to Hungary in 3:35.11.
Ireland’s Irish record time of 3:35.86, which won their heat, still leaves the quartet in contention with a further four places on offer to those teams in the top 16 in the World in May 2020.
Just two days before, Hyland linked up with Jack McMillan, Robbie Powell and Sloan to finish second in their heat and 16th overall.
Their superb time of 7:13.91 served to smash the previous Irish Senior record of 7:30.45 that was set back in 2013.
A lifetime best of 1:48 flat by McMillan laid the foundation for a great display by the team with Powell clocking 1:48.84, Sloan 1:47.84 and Hyland 1:49.23 that left them just under two seconds off the last Olympic qualification spot of 12th place that was secured by Switzerland in 7:12.08.
Like the 4x100m Medley, the team is still in the running for a berth in the 2020 Summer Games with four further spaces available for those ranked in the World Top 16 in May 2020.
Following eight days of racing in Gwangju, where six new Irish records were set, National Performance Director Jon Rudd said “There are so many positives that this Irish team and Swim Ireland can take away from this Championships.
“Three semi-finals at this level, with another two positions one place off a semi-final is a great outcome for us a year out of an Olympic Games.
“The times achieved by both Brendan Hyland and Darragh Greene at this meet are truly world class and testament to a home soil coaching programme delivering at the highest level” he added.
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