The O'Connor brothers Adrian and Hugh were disappointingly outside their best times in the 100 metres backstroke heats yesterday. Adrian, swimming in heat four, clocked 58.5 seconds, younger brother Hugh, 59.5 seconds, filling fifth place in heat three. Overall, they finished 35th and 37th, respectively.

Adrian, seventh in his heat, should have gone at least two seconds faster, according to national coach Ger Doyle. "I was expecting a 56 from Adrian given what he has been doing up to now. Again, we are making no excuses, Adrian told me he felt relatively good in the swim, but the time just wasn't there."

Colin Lowth will be Ireland's only representative in the pool today - he goes in the 100 metres butterfly. "He's looking forward to it, although the event is not his main one," said Doyle.

Nick O'Hare goes in his favourite event, the 50 metres freestyle, tomorrow and the O'Connors figure in Sunday's 200 metres backstroke.