Tallaght Brendan Hyland wins back record

BRENDAN Hyland fulfilled his prediction of a return to the Number One spot in the Irish 100m Butterfly field after he reclaimed the national record on the penultimate day of the Irish Open Swimming Championships at the NAC.

Having seen Larne swimmer Conor Brines pinch his record in this discipline earlier in the year, Hyland was determined to win it back and he did just that when rocketing to victory in a time of 53.26 seconds.

“I’d said it to myself, and anyone who asked, since Brines broke the record with me in the pool in February, that I’d take it back at the Irish Open in Dublin, so it was encouraging to carry out exactly what I said I’d do,” said Hyland.

This new national best was just one of the highlights for the Tallaght swimmer at this event which also saw him smash his own National 200m Butterfly record at the outset of proceedings.

Indeed, shaving more than half a second off his previous best over this distance, Hyland’s time of 1:58.08 saw him take gold.

“The 200 fly was probably the most emotional performance,” said the Tallaght star.

“I’d spent three years not being able to beat my 1.58.69 swim from 2014, so to smash it was incredible. It felt good to be back.”

With his 200m Freestyle Final taking place hot on the heels of his 200m Fly, Hyland was unable to fully recover in time and had to settle for a fifth place finish.

Still he managed to set a new PB of 51:02 in the 100m Freestyle on his way to another fifth place finish.

“Overall I’m happy with my performances – World University Games qualification and top spot in 100m – which will at least have me in position to be considered for a World Championship Relay,” said Hyland.

“The World University Games in Taipei in August is my biggest focus, however, I need to wait and see what decision the new performance director makes regarding Relays and World championships. It’ll be an exciting summer,” he insisted.

Meanwhile another of the Tallaght contingent in the Open, Niamh Coyne finished runner-up in the Women’s 50m and 100m Breaststroke Finals while Clodagh Flood was third in the Women’s 200m Butterfly.