New Ross teenager Hugh O'Connor spearheaded a tremendous day's work by a six-strong Irish squad at the Tournament of Nations swimming tests in Vienna yesterday.

O'Connor qualified for two A finals and a consolation B decider in a convincing, versatile display of freestyle, backstroke and individual medley, respectively.

A change of format saw the opening day of this prestigious meet confined to heats with the finals to be packed into a busy session this evening. It means that Hugh O'Connor could end up in five finals in all.

O'Connor's brother, Adrian, qualified for the 50 metre freestyle final as well as the backstroke B decider. Nick O'Hare qualified for the B final in the 50 metre freestyle and Chantal Gibney (50 metre freestyle), Paul McCarthy (50 metre butterfly) and Claremorris's Niamh Cawley (50 metre backstroke) were other A final qualifiers.

With each member of the Irish team having advanced to finals, it promises to be an interesting weekend for the Team 2000 members.

Team coach Ger Doyle says he expects medals.