Longford's Patrick Flanagan looking forward to competing at his first World Para Swimming Championships in London

Longford Leader reporter

Reporter:

Longford Leader reporter

Email:

sport@longfordleader.ie

Longford's Patrick Flanagan is part of the Irish team that will compete at the World Para Swimming Allianz Championships in London this September.

He tweeted that was he was proud to be selected and has six weeks preparation ahead of his first World Championships.

The eight person team was announced this week at the Sport Ireland National Aquatic Centre and they will be the first Irish paralympic team to compete in the new Under Armour team kit which will be supplied by Under Armour’s Teamwear Partner; Dreamsport. 

Patrick Flanagan (UCD), who was agonisingly close to winning a European medal in Dublin last year, will compete at the World Championships from September 9 to 15 at the London Aquatics Centre. 

Watch | Longford swimmer Patrick Flanagan agonisingly misses out on European bronze medal

Amy Marren will make her debut appearance for Ireland and she previously represented Great Britain at the Paralympic Games in Rio 2016 where she won a bronze medal. 

Team Ireland also features European gold and bronze medallist, Ellen Keane and European silver medallist, Nicole Turner, along with Jonathan McGrath, Ailbhe Kelly, Barry McClements and Sean O’Riordan. 

The World Para Swimming Allianz Championships will represent the first opportunity that Team Ireland will have to secure slots at the Paralympic Games that are being held in Tokyo next year. The gold and silver medal winners in each event will automatically secure slots for their nation at the 2020 Paralympic Games.

FROM 2018: Longford's Patrick Flanagan 'really excited' about representing Team Ireland at European Para Swimming Championships

Also read: Longford's Darragh Greene helps medley relay team achieve Irish record at FINA World Swimming Championships in South Korea