Gold medal joy for Turner at European Championships

Nicole Turner from Portarlington won a gold medal at the European Para Swimming Championships in Madeira yesterday (Thursday).

In a 50m freestyle final race that went right down to the wire, Turner touched the wall at the same time as Swiss counterpart Nora Meister to claim joint gold.

It's Nicole's second European Championship medal this week, having won a bronze medal in the 200m Individual Medley final earlier in the week.

Swimming ace Turner is from Garryhinch, Portarlington, on the Offaly side of the border with Laois.

Speaking after the final, Turner said: “That was special and to do it as a joint (winner) was even more special. To be honest, the 50 free I love it. It’s an event that I really enjoy and I did really enjoy that race.”

Nicole is now preparing to contest a direct final this evening (Friday) in the 100m breaststroke.

Ireland actually emerged with two medals from the 50m freestyle final, with Turner's teammate Dearbhaile Brady following right behind to win bronze, her first ever major championship medal.

Speaking afterwards, Brady said: “It was quite a shock seeing my name come up there. I was really nervous coming into the race, but I’m really proud of how I swam.”

Meanwhile, Ireland's Róisín Ní Riain finished 8th in her 50m freestyle final in a time of 28.75.