Wiffen returns at Euro Short Course Championships
Wiffin won a hat-trick of titles at the 2023 edition
- Published
Daniel Wiffen will return to the pool for the first time since July when he leads a 12-strong Ireland team into the European Aquatics Short Course Championships (25m) in Poland.
The Magheralin man withdrew before the defence of his 1500m freestyle title at the World Championships in Singapore, following an eighth-place finish in the defence of his 800m crown.
Wiffen had suffered a bout of appendicitis in June and underwent surgery on his appendix in August, but the 24-year-old is back to defend the 400m, 800m - where he set a world record - and 1500m titles he won in 2023.
Joining Wiffen in the championships that run from 2-7 December is Olympic finalist Ellen Walshe.
The Dubliner won bronze in the 400m individual medley in 2023 and has since set six new Irish records in the 200m butterfly, 200m individual medley and 400m individual medley at the World Aquatics World Cup.
"The team arrives in Lublin ready to race and to build on strong early-season momentum," said interim Swim Ireland national performance director Andy Reid.
"Our experienced athletes and emerging talent give us a great balance, and we're looking forward to seeing them seize their opportunities.
"Our focus now is on executing with confidence, racing with intent, and continuing to set strong foundations for the year ahead."
All 12 members of Team Ireland will be in action on day one with Wiffen competing in the 400m freestyle heats alongside Cormac Rynn and Denis O'Brien.
Walshe begins in the 50m butterfly with Rosalie Phelan making her Ireland debut in the same event, while Lisburn's Matthew Hamilton is joined by Jack Cassin and Evan Bailey in the men's heats.
Bangor's Adam Bradley and Limerick's Eoin Corby start in the 100m breaststroke, with Enniskillen's European U23 champion Ellie McCartney is also in action in the same discipline.
Galway's John Shortt opens his challenge in the 200m backstroke heats.
Team Ireland squad
Evan Bailey
Adam Bradley
Jack Cassin
Eoin Corby
Matthew Hamilton
Ellie McCartney
Denis O'Brien
Rosalie Phelan
Cormac Rynn
John Shortt
Ellen Walshe
Daniel Wiffen