Ellie McCartney, continuing to be a rising star in Irish swimming, showcased her talent and determination at the 2023 European Aquatics Championships (25m) held at the Olympic Complex in Otopeni, Romania, from December 5-10. Swim Ireland selected McCartney as one of the 17 Irish swimmers to represent their country at this prestigious event.

Ellie McCartney, known for her impressive achievements as a double Commonwealth Youth Games gold medallist earlier this year, participated in her first International Senior Short Course Meet at the European Championships. The young Fermanagh swimmer competed in several events, leaving a mark on the European stage.

In the 50m Breaststroke, McCartney demonstrated her speed and skill by completing the race in an impressive time of 32.05 seconds, earning her a 25th-place finish among top European swimmers. She continued her excellent performance in the 100m Breaststroke, setting a personal best time of 1:07.50, which secured her 26th place in Europe.

On the third day of the championships, Ellie McCartney swam the 200m Breaststroke confidently. Although she delivered an outstanding performance, a technical infringement led to her time not being validated for the event.

Despite the setback, McCartney made an incredible comeback in the 200m Individual Medley (IM), clocking a remarkable time of 2:11.99. Her impressive swim secured her a spot in the semi-finals and broke the 11-year-old Ulster Senior record by 0.4 seconds. McCartney’s determination continued as she competed in the semi-finals, achieving another Ulster Senior record with a time of 2:11.72. This accomplishment earned her a place in her first European Senior final.

The final took place the following evening, where McCartney faced a strong field of competitors, including her teammate and Tokyo Olympian, Ellen Walshe. Despite being one of the youngest finalists, Ellie McCartney swam another outstanding race, ultimately finishing as the eighth fastest in Europe. Her performance in her first senior international final was an incredible testament to her talent and determination.

Reflecting on her experience, the 18-year-old McCartney said: “It’s been great to come out on the European stage and be making finals. It’s my first time making a senior final, so even to get here is such a great achievement. I’m ten years younger than some of the people I was racing against there, so it’s all about building experience. The time wasn’t what I wanted, but the atmosphere and experience of being here, I can’t ask for much more.”

As Ellie McCartney returns home after a fantastic week with her Swim Ireland teammates, the focus now turns to the Irish Winter Championships. Her remarkable performance at the 2023 European Aquatics Championships continues to show terrific progress resulting in her dedication to training, the coaching ability of her team and the friendship of her teammates.