Swimming: Murphy and Nocher eye Beijing
Saturday, April 26, 2008
It's time for Melanie Nocher and Barry Murphy to step up and shoot for
Beijing. And who knows maybe teenager Aisling Cooney may spring a surprise
and get close to a FINA A time.
Cooney's battles with Belfast girl Nocher will arguably be the highlight of
the Irish championships which start on Friday and run through to Monday.
It seems that Andrew Bree will not be in Dublin for the official Olympic
qualifying meet as he is still working to resolve the issue over his failed
test at the European short course championships.
Cooney has made immense progress this year and took Nocher's 100m back
record at the Dave McCullagh meet.
Nocher will step up to the blocks knowing that she will have to deliver an
awesome swim to make Beijing with the 200m back her best hope.
Murphy badly disappointed at the European long course championships but will
now believe he can turn it around for Dublin.
It came as no surprise that he complained about the short yards season in
the States in regard to his long course performance.
Murphy certainly has the talent and let's hope he can find his rhythm and
scorch to a new 50m free record and Olympic qualification mark.
It promises to be the most exciting Irish championships long course or short
course for some time.
Ulster will be hoping to scoop plenty of medals with Nocher joined by the
likes of Steven McQuillan, Conor Leaney, Bethany Carson and Clare Dawson in
the bid for the podium.
But what we really want is Nocher booking her spot for Beijing.
Meanwhile, Liverpool's Fran Halsall wants to use this summer's Beijing
Olympics as a stepping stone towards a gold medal at London 2012.
The 18-year-old City Of Liverpool swimmer will compete in three events in
China, including the 100m freestyle.
Halsall said: "I think that everyone goes to the Olympics wanting to
win. My main aim is to get a gold in London, but just to compete in my home
country would be fabulous."
David Kelly
