Seventh placed finish for McSharry in 50m breaststroke final

Mona McSharry finished seventh in the European Championships 50m breaststroke final in Rome.

McSharry, who had come into the final as the seventh fastest swimmer, was unable to improve on her qualifying time after a long week of action.

The 21-year-old got off to a decent start but was unable to rein in the leading group and eventually finished in a time of 31.15.

Ruta Meilutyte of Lithuania took the victory in a time of 29.59, adding European to the World Championship gold she won in the same event back in July.

A controversial figure, Meilutyte returned to competitive action last December, having served out a two-year suspension for missing three anti-doping tests.

Local favourite Benedetta Pilato claimed silver for Italy, while Great Britain's Imogen Clark won the bronze.