The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
FINN McGeever made history this afternoon as part of the Irish 4x200m swim relay team that took to the water in the Olympic Games, writes Ivan Smyth.
While the team did not progress from their heat, the former pupil of St Anne’s Community College and his colleagues did themselves proud, being part of the first Irish swim relay team to compete in an Olympics in 49 years.
McGeever swam the second leg of the relay after Jack McMillan thundered through the field in the opening leg, setting an Irish 200m record.
Ireland's first ever men's Olympic relay has finished 15th in the 4x200m Freestyle Relay with lead swimmer Jack McMillan setting a new Irish Senior Record 🇮🇪 for 200m!
⏱️ 1:46.66 for @Jackmac121!
⏱️ 7:14.58 for Team Ireland#TeamIreland #Tokyo2020 @swimireland pic.twitter.com/89Gy5l4h4a— Team Ireland (@TeamIreland) July 27, 2021
The Irish quartet finished eighth in their heat and 15th overall, and were unable to progress through to the next round.
Ireland found themselves in a difficult heat with gold medal favourites Great Britain and swimming powerhouses Australia and USA filling the first three places
Finn is the youngest son of Roisín and Charlie and a past pupil of Ballina National School.
The second year student at the University of Limerick will be hoping to build on his run to Tokyo after he broke the Irish 400m record when competing at the National Championships.
