Ferguson and Hill shine at McCullagh Memorial meet

Larne Swimming Club’s Conor Ferguson and Danielle Hill were in top form at the Dave McCullagh Memorial meet held in Bangor’s Aurora at the weekend.

In what was the first Irish selection meet of the year, local swimmers entered looking for good, solid long course swims and, in some cases, qualification for this summer’s international meets.

Hill was chasing a time for the inaugural European Games in Baku at the end of June, while Ferguson was seeking selection for the European Youth Olympic Festival in Georgia in July.

Day one began with the 50 metres backstroke events for both Ferguson and Hill. And, as is becoming a habit, Ferguson broke his own Ulster junior record by almost half a second in the sprint, clocking a time of 26.32.

Not to be outdone, Hill eased her way into the finals of both the 50 BC and the 100 freestyle, with a new lifetime best in the frestyle event.

Erin Barr (12), competing in her first senior open meet, swam well in the 100 breaststroke along with Ellen O’Neill. Both swam just outside their personal best times.

The short backcrawl finals provided some fireworks with Ferguson and Hill posting faster times than in the heats. Ferguson broke the Irish junior record previously held by Karl Burgis.