Andrew Bree, the talented Ards teenager, will represent Ireland at both junior and senior levels at the European championships for both grades within the space of one month. Bree impressed at the world short course championships in Hong Kong at Easter and will be in Moscow this week for the European juniors before travelling on to Istanbul for the European seniors the following week.

In Moscow this week he will be one of five Irish youngsters trying to make an impact. Bree's challenge in the breaststroke is considered one of the best chances of an Irish medal.

A clear indication of how well the sport is progressing in the provincial areas is the naming of Siobhan McNally in the junior squad, the first Longford competitor at this level.

The junior Europeans get under way tomorrow and run to Saturday. The senior equivalent start on Friday week and winds up on July 30th.

Bree (breaststroke) joins the most experienced of all Irish swimmers, Nick O'Hare (freestyle), in Instanbul where six Irish competitors will measure their ability against the best from this part of the globe. O'Hare's inclusion, through the percentages route, affords Ireland an unusual medley relay entry. Hugh O'Connor (backstroke) from New Ross and Colin Louth (butterfly) from Cormorants complete the team.

Some members of the Ireland team for the European Youths Olympics in Esbjerb, Denmark this week showed excellent form at the Irish age group championships at the weekend. They included Conor Morris (Cormorant), Mark Doyle (Trojan), David O'Dowling (Dolphin) and Louise McLoughlin (Claremorris).

An unfortunate clash of fixtures will deny the National open championships in Belfast (July 21st-24th) of the services of the entire European team competing in Istanbul. This will hardly cause any loss of sleep for elite squad members now that the long course season is well under way.