Irish international Emma Robinson set Irish records at 50 and 100 metres breaststroke during the World Short Course Championships in Athens at the weekend. From an Irish viewpoint it was most satisfying and lends a huge boost to the Belfast woman, who is based at Bath University, at the start of the long course season.
National coach Ger Doyle was impressed by her 31.9 seconds 50 metres and the 1:09.4 she posted for the 100 metres, in which she was just edged out of a final place. With next month's long course tests at Edinburgh and Vienna, Robinson's performances were timely.
Her team-mate, Julie Douglas, in the five-strong, all-Ulster Irish team, went close to Chantal Gibney's 50 metres freestyle record with a fine 29.58.
Ulster's Andrew Bree cleaned up in all the breakstroke events as well as the 200 IM in the Ulster Open Championships at the weekend.
Niamh Cawley and Stephen Manley were others to see out the short course season with flying colours at the Grove. Clubs will decide on the eventual composition of the Irish contingent in Edinburgh but a certain starter is Hugh O'Connor of New Ross despite some dental problems that has disrupted his training.
Ten to 12 members of the national squad will compete in Vienna following a camp training stint at a French venue yet to be decided. However, Gibney has decided to bypass both the training camp and the Vienna meet.
