SWIMMING: Ireland have lined up an impressive list of world class competitors for next week's Leisureland three-day international meet.
However, while some of the sport's elite performers, such as Mark Foster, are due to compete in Salthill, leading Irish swimmers will be university-tied in the US.
Andrew Bree and Chantal Gibney are ruled out in this regard while Emma Robinson is recovering from a knee injury at the University of Bath.
Irish swimmers due to compete include butterfly contender Donal O'Neill of Trojan, whose Irish record-breaking display at the recent European short course championships in Antwerp reflects his scope for faster times.
Lee Kelleher of Cork is another Irish swimmer with sufficient experience not to be overawed by the likes of Olympic silver medallist Therese Alshammer.
The three days of action begins on Friday, February 15th.
The Irish schools finals take place in Cork on Friday and Saturday. Belvedere College, coached by former Irish champion Tony Morris, are poised to make a big impact, especially when Barry Murphy (breaststroke and freestyle) is in action.
Michael and Shane Aherne, also of Leinster, look set for medals as do Jonathan Nixon and Melinee Nocher (Ulster), David and Denis Breslin (Connacht) and Munster's Michael and Ciara Kelleher.
