Irish swimmers set new national records at Open Championships

19-year-old John Shortt and 23-year-old Jack Kelly break national marks in backstroke and breaststroke events

Apr. 10, 2026 at 12:52am

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A colorful, energetic painting featuring abstract, swirling brushstrokes of neon greens, blues, and reds, conveying the powerful movements and record-breaking performances of Irish swimmers.The electric energy of Ireland's rising swimming stars is captured in a dynamic expressionist painting.Austin Today

On the second night of the 2026 Irish Open Championships, two swimmers set new national records in their events. 19-year-old John Shortt broke his own 100m backstroke record with a time of 53.17, while 23-year-old Jack Kelly set a new 50m breaststroke record of 26.84, erasing the previous mark held by Darragh Greene. Both swimmers earned consideration times for the upcoming European Championships.

Why it matters

The Irish Open Championships serve as the trials for the Commonwealth Games and European Championships, making these record-breaking performances significant as the swimmers look to qualify for major international competitions. The records also highlight the continued development of Irish swimming talent, with young stars like Shortt and Kelly emerging on the national scene.

The details

In the men's 50m breaststroke, Jack Kelly, who trains under coach Bob Bowman at the University of Texas, clocked a time of 26.84 to set a new Irish national record. Kelly's time erased the previous record of 26.94 set by Darragh Greene at the 2019 World Championships. Kelly and Greene both secured consideration times for the European Championships with their performances. In the men's 100m backstroke, 19-year-old John Shortt delivered a swift time of 53.17 to break his own national record of 53.37 that he had set just last month. Shortt's splits of 26.22 and 26.95 were both faster than his previous record swim, and his time earned him a European Championships consideration standard.

  • In February 2026, Rosalie Phelan set a lifetime best of 27.19 in the women's 50m butterfly.
  • On April 10, 2026, the second day of the Irish Open Championships took place.

The players

John Shortt

A 19-year-old Irish swimmer who set a new national record in the men's 100m backstroke with a time of 53.17.

Jack Kelly

A 23-year-old Irish swimmer who trains under coach Bob Bowman at the University of Texas. Kelly set a new Irish national record in the men's 50m breaststroke with a time of 26.84.

Darragh Greene

A 31-year-old Irish swimmer who previously held the national record in the men's 50m breaststroke with a time of 26.94 set at the 2019 World Championships.

Rosalie Phelan

A 21-year-old Irish swimmer who won the women's 50m butterfly event at the Irish Open Championships with a time of 26.62, breaking the meet record.

Alana Burns-Atkin

An Irish swimmer who won the silver medal in the women's 50m butterfly event at the Irish Open Championships.

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What’s next

Both Shortt and Kelly have earned consideration times for the upcoming European Championships, and will look to solidify their spots on the Irish national team in the coming months.

The takeaway

The record-breaking performances by young Irish swimmers Shortt and Kelly at the Irish Open Championships demonstrate the continued growth and development of the country's swimming talent. As they prepare for major international competitions like the Commonwealth Games and European Championships, these national records will provide a boost of confidence and serve as a springboard for future success.