Burdis sets new Irish record

Swimming: Despite winning his heat with a new Irish record Dubliner Karl Burdis was unable to book his place in the 50m backstroke…

Swimming:Despite winning his heat with a new Irish record Dubliner Karl Burdis was unable to book his place in the 50m backstroke semi-final at the World Swimming Championships in Rome.

The 19-year-old’s time of 25.40 seconds was 0.23 seconds quicker than the previous best he swam four weeks ago, but only good enough for 28th overall.

Donal O’Neill finished in 26.29 seconds in the same event.

Burdis, a student at the University of Minnesota, said: “25.4 is a very good time for me – it’s a best time and an Irish record so there’s not much more I can ask for. I now have one more swim to go and that’s on the relay [4x100m medley] tomorrow.

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“It should be fun and we’ve a chance of lowering the record as well.”

The Irish women’s 4x100m medley quartet of Aisling Cooney, Fiona Doyle, Grainne Murphy and Clare Dawson lowered their previous best be seven seconds with a time of 4.12.67 minutes.

In the 50m freestyle Clare Dawson set new personal best of 26.20 seconds, while in the same event Fiona Doyle clocked 26.38.