FOLLOWING his defeats by New Ross junior record holder Hugh O'Connor in Cork, Nick O'Hare has urged Michelle Smith and his other Olympic teammates to "get back into training as soon as possible".

O'Hare's losses over 50 and 100 metres could be construed as embarrassing, but the Irish champion would not go that far.

"My times for this time of year are better than they were last year when I failed to make the final at the same gala. Given the technical changes I am making to my stroke, I would regard my performance as encouraging. Hugh O'Connor is a real talent. He will make the Sydney Olympics for sure."

Ireland's sprint champion learned in Cork that a great deal of hard work lies ahead for the Atlanta competitors before their top form is recaptured.

O'Hare was a guest competitor at the Dolphin event, as was Adrian O'Connor, Hugh's Olympian brother.

If the lesson emanating from Cork jar triple Olympic champion Smith, Adrian O'Connor's 200 metres freestyle performance, only weeks after Atlanta, is more likely to make her feel at ease. He improved on his best for the meet by almost two seconds with a time of 1:55.40.

Smith will not swim seriously before Christmas. She will, however, fulfil an appearance date at a meet in the Caribbean in a few weeks time. She will forego an option to compete at the European short course championships at Rostock, Germany in December, and is likely to wait until April before re launching her competitive career at the World short course championship in Gothenburg (April 17th-20th).

After that, she will consider, defending her European championship titles in Seville (August 14th-24th).

O'Hare is contemplating an option to move back to Phoenix, Arizona, where he prepared for the Olympics under the guidance of Troy Dalby. He has split from his Coolmine club and is now coached by Carol Walsh at Trojan.

Three major events before Christmas, as well as financial considerations, has influenced his decision to remain in Ireland until January at the earliest. Yesterday, he was named, as was Hugh O'Connor, in the 14 strong Irish squad to compete at next month's Leicester short course meet.

On the face of it, the absence of Lee Kelleher's name from the team for Leicester would seem surprising, but it is understood that her affiliation to Millfield is a factor that prevents her inclusion and leaves Munster unrepresented. Colin Louth is another notable absentee. Leinster monopolises the team list with nine swimmers. Ulster have three and Connacht two.