Sycerika McMahon achieved her third final placing on the last day (Sunday July 18) of the 2010 European Junior Championships in Helsinki, Finland.

The Portaferry swimmer was fifth in the 200 metres Individual Medley in 2 minutes 18.08 seconds.

 Sycerika had already made eighth spot in the 200 metres freestyle decider (2:03.67) and won a bronze medal for her 400 freestyle performance in 4 mins 15.92 secs.

That was a personal best time and a new Irish Junior Record (IJR). The previous mark of 4:16.00 had been set by Sycerika herself at the European Youth Olympics last year in the same pool.

The Strathearn College (Belfast) student is coached by international coach Bobby Madine at Leander club in Belfast and, at 15 years of age, is still eligible to compete in the Junior Europeans next year.

The only other member of the 2010 Irish Helsinki team was Shani Stallard from Kilkenny town. She trains with experienced coach Fran Ronan at New Ross club in Co Wexford. In line with Swim Ireland's 'all finals' world game plan, Shani (16) also made the semi-finals  of the 100 and 200 metres for her breaststroke speciality.

Published Monday July 19 2010

PRO Joseph P Fitzpatrick