Clontarf's Ellen Keane - a recap of her success

Many of you may be aware that Clontarf local Ellen Keane recently competed in the IPC Swimming World Championships in Montreal, Canada.

Below is a recap of her brilliant success by her club, Aer Lingus Swim Club.

Pictured above: Ellen at recent Aer Lingus Swim Club training camp in Barcelona

Ellen Shines at IPC Swimming Worlds

Travelling to Montreal, Canada to represent Ireland, Ellen Keane was given the honour of carrying the Irish flag at the IPC Swimming Worlds opening ceremony on August 12th.

Ellen’s first event was the 100free. She swam a time of 1.08.57 and finished 9th overall. On Tuesday August 13th, Ellen was swimming in the 50free and 200IM. Swimming well in the heats, she qualified for both finals eventually placing 6th in both events.

Onto Thursday and Ellen was competing in the 100Brs. Finishing a commendable second in the heats and placed 4th overall in a time of 1.25.09, Ellen went on to swim in the final. Standing on the blocks in lane 5, Ellen was pitted against the World Record Holder Olesya Vladykina of Russia, Katarina Roxon of Canada and Claire Cashmore of Britain.

Coming fourth at the turn, and just 0.01secs behind Roxon, Ellen powered home in the second 50m to finish third and claim her first world Championship Medal in a time of 1.23.74.

Speaking afterwards Ellen said “I can’t believe it, I was a bit worried when I was swimming because I knew the British girl next to me had swum a 1:25 in the heats too but when I turned I saw she was behind and thought just go for it, I was getting tired but I just kept going” commented a delighted Keane after the race “I’m so happy, I just don’t think I can describe how it feels”.

Next up was the 100Fly on Saturday. In the heats, Ellen swam a time of 1.13.18 which qualified her for the final ranked third. In the final, Ellen was up against Amy Marren of the UK, Sarai Gascon of Spain and Irina Grazhdanova of Russia amongst others.

Ellen would have to swim a PB to stand a chance of winning a medal if the others swam to their PB’s. Ellen swam a time of 1.11.55 knocking a massive 1.5 secs off her PB, securing third and a second bronze medal!!!

Speaking afterwards Ellen said, “It feels amazing to end the competition like this, to do such a big personal best after years of Butterfly really hurting it felt so nice, this is unreal, I’m so happy”.

A huge congratulations to Ellen from all at Aer Lingus Swim Club!