McSharry advances to 50m breaststroke semi-finals

Mona McSharry qualified for the semi-finals of the women's 50m breaststroke semi-finals on the penultimate day of the European Aquatics Championships in Rome.

The Sligo athlete, who finished fifth in the 100m breaststroke final on Saturday and seventh in an ultra-competitive 200m breaststroke final yesterday, swam her heat in a time of 31.41 to advance to this evening’s semi-finals.

McSharry’s time placed her 13th overall, with the top 18 qualifying.

Niamh Coyne was due to compete alongside McSharry in heat three, but did not take her place at the starting blocks.

The semi-finals begin at 6.31pm Irish time.

Shane Ryan and Max McCusker made their respective exits in the heats of the men's 50m freestyle.

Ryan won his heat in a time of 23.08, but it was the slowest winning time of the eight heats and placed him 50th overall, with the top 16 advancing to the semi-finals.

McCusker’s time of 23.58 was 1.99 off the time of the fastest qualifier, Thom de Boer of the Netherlands, and good enough for 62nd position overall.

Liam Custer - pictured above - and Eoin Corby failed to advance in the men's 200m individual medley heats.

The Irish pair were beside each other in the far lanes in the third and final heat, with the top 16 moving into this evening’s semi-finals.

Corby’s pedigree in the breaststroke was evident when he powered up the standings – he posted the fastest breaststroke leg in the race – to finish with a time of 2:05.78 in seventh place.

That was only good enough for 18th overall.

Custer finished the heat one place adrift of his compatriot Corby in a time of 2:06.66 and 22nd overall.