Alex Murphy, the Oxfordshire born swimmer who has switched his allegiances to Ireland, completed a men’s breaststroke double when he won the final of the 100 metres Breaststroke on day three of the Irish Open Swimming Championships at the NAC in Dublin

Ninteen-year-old Murphy, who has qualified for the world championships in Kazan in Russia this August via his win in the 50 Breaststroke on Thursday, was the second fastest qualifier into the 100 final.

He turned fourth at the 50-metre mark but put in a terrific second leg to take the win in 62.41 seconds, holding off the challenge of US college competitor Ethan Browne.

Murphy is getting better with every swim it seems and he cannot be discounted as a possible contender to make the Rio Olympics in 2016, such is his recent progression.

The 50 Breaststroke isn’t an Olympic event though, and he would have to go below 60.57 seconds for the 100 to get on the Irish team.

His UCD coach Earl McCarthy said: “We are not putting pressure on Alex, but if he were to go in and around 61 seconds in the near future, then we would be having a conversation.”

Article by John Kenny at the National Aquatic Centre

Full article here :

http://m.rte.ie/sport/swimming/2015/0502/698383-alex-murphy-impresses-in-breaststroke-final/