Irish Open Swimming Championships: Cullen claims 100m backstroke title

Banbridge’s Lottie Cullen gained the 100m backstroke title on the Irish Open Championships in Bangor.

Cullen beat 100m freestyle champion Grace Davison however each achieved the consideration instances for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and European Championships in Paris.

Larne’s Danielle Hill, who was fourth as she returns from an ankle damage, additionally has the consideration time for Glasgow, that means Northern Ireland will be capable to choose a full complement of three swimmers for the occasion.

Cullen improved her warmth time of 1:01.26 to 1:00.35 which was sufficient for the National Centre Ulster swimmer to see off Ards’ Davison (1:00.61) and Limerick’s Maria Godden, whereas Hill’s 1:02.31 places her within the body for the Commonwealth Games.

“Getting the [consideration] time this morning [in the heats] took all the pressure off, so I could just concentrate on doing what I wanted to do,” Cullen informed BBC Sport NI.

“Last year was such a rough year and I couldn’t be more thankful for my team, family and friends getting me back to this point.

“I’m simply trying to push ahead from these performances. I have not had a lot of lengthy course racing this 12 months, however have been capable of chip away at my instances and might push on to summer time.”