Ellie McCartney, the talented 18-year-old swimmer from Enniskillen, has emerged triumphant with a bronze medal at the LEN European Junior Swimming Championships.

Held at the Milan Gale Muskatirovic Swimming Centre, the prestigious competition brought together 12 Irish swimmers who embarked on a journey to compete against Europe’s emerging stars.

Over the course of the six-day championship, commencing on Tuesday, July 4, and culminating on Sunday, McCartney showcased her exceptional abilities, earning her a place in an impressive three finals.

This remarkable achievement marked McCartney’s second consecutive appearance at the LEN European Junior Championships, following her participation in last year’s event held in Bucharest, Romania.

The Irish team encountered some challenges on their way to Belgrade, experiencing a 24-hour delay in receiving their luggage due to a swift connection in Germany. Despite this setback, the team remained undeterred and focused on their pursuit of success.

Right from the opening day of the championships, McCartney exhibited her skills in the 50m Breaststroke event, delivering an astonishing personal best, surpassing her previous record by 0.75 seconds.

McCartney’s exceptional performance secured her a place as a reserve for the semi-finals, with an impressive time of 32.56.

On day three, McCartney’s determination shone through as she achieved another personal best during the 200m Breaststroke heats, clocking an impressive time of 2:30.01.

This outstanding performance propelled her into the semi-finals, where she exceeded the 2:30-minute mark, securing her spot in the final with a time of 2:29.43.

Continuing her success, McCartney made significant contributions to the Irish team’s achievements during the 4 x 100m Mixed Medley relay, helping them secure a place in the finals later that evening.

McCartney’s exceptional skills resulted in her competing in two finals during the evening session.

In the highly competitive 200m Breaststroke final, she delivered yet another outstanding performance, earning her the title of the eighth-fastest junior in Europe. Additionally, the relay team demonstrated their prowess, securing an admirable seventh-place finish.

Day five witnessed McCartney’s participation in two events. She began with the 100m Breaststroke, where she recorded an impressive time of 1:12.02.

Following that, McCartney showcased her versatility in the 200m Individual Medley, narrowly missing her personal best but qualifying for the semi-finals later in the evening.

Exhilarating battle

McCartney engaged in an exhilarating battle with an English swimmer during the first semi-final, ultimately securing a second-place finish. This achievement positioned her as the fourth seed for the highly anticipated final the following evening.

McCartney, a proud member of both the National Centre Ulster and Ards Swimming Club, delivered an exceptional performance when it mattered most.

In the final of the 200m Individual Medley, she clocked an impressive time of 2:14.31, securing her first international medal and even breaking the Ulster Senior Record in the process.

McCartney’s determination was evident throughout the competition, having previously finished fourth overall in both the heats (2:16.48) and the semi-finals (2:14.93).

Joining the ranks of esteemed Irish swimmers, McCartney proudly stands alongside previous European Junior medal winners Grainne Murphy, Sycerika McMahon, Mona McSharry, and Conor Ferguson.

Overjoyed by her achievement, McCartney expressed her heartfelt gratitude to her coaches, teammates, and parents, stating: “I’m speechless after tonight’s final. I’m delighted to have earned a medal in the final race of my junior career. I couldn’t have done it without the unwavering support of my coaches, teammates, and parents.”

Kevin Anderson, the National Centre Coach said: “A great finish to the meet for Ellie. We talked about being good, better, best through prelims, semis then finals.

“She nailed it on the final day and fought hard for the podium. Very proud of how she delivered in the moment!”

Ellie McCartney’s exceptional performance at the LEN European Junior Swimming Championships has undeniably solidified her status as a rising star in Irish swimming. As she sets her sights on the Commonwealth Youth Games in August, the swimming world eagerly anticipates what’s ahead.