Swimming:Gráinne Murphy claimed a magnificent silver medal in the final of the women's 1500 metres final at the European Championships in Hungary this afternoon.
The 17-year-old from New Ross in Wexford came home behind Denmark’s Lotte Friis, who won in a time of 15.59.13, the fastest in the world this year.
Murphy yet again smashed her Irish record, coming home in a time of 16:02.29, slashing another eight seconds off the record she set in qualifying fastest for the final.
In total Murphy has slashed over 28 seconds off her Irish mark over the two swims, making the Leaving Certificate student a real hope for the 2012 Olympics in London.
“It was really good. I pulled out of the fly this morning to rest and see how it went. I didn’t expect a medal, it’s amazing,” said a delighted Murphy after the race.
“I am surprised that I managed the change from junior to senior level so well. I can’t yet evaluate my performance. I’m hoping to stabilise and confirm this result.”
Murphy was unlucky not to medal in the 800 metres freestyle on Thursday as she was cruelly edged out of bronze by just 0.05secs by double world champion Federica Pellegrini on the final touch. Friis also won that race.
Dubliner Barry Murphy finished in eight position in the men’s 50 metres breaststroke final, his time of 27.99 well outside his qualifying mark of 27.60. Italy’s Fabio Scozzoli took gold in 27.37 ahead of Romania’a Dragos Agache, while the bronze went to Lennart Stekelenburg of the Netherlands.
Barry Murphy also failed in his bid to progress through the heats of the 50 metres freestyle, coming home seventh in his heat in a time of 23.06.