McClenaghan Joins Europes Best
27th May 2016, 00:00a.m. | International
Ireland's standout junior 13th in All Around at 2016 European Championships
Rhys McClenaghan from Rathgael Gymnastics Club became the first Irish male gymnast to compete at a European Junior Championships final tonight at the Post-Finance Arena in Bern. Rhys started his rotations with a solid effort on the High Bar before putting in some impressive performances on the Floor – 13.466, the Pommel 13.200 and the Parallel Bars 13.483 which helped him to a 78.948 All Around Score and a ranking of 13th overall for the Championships.
After a fine competitive display tonight (Friday), Rhys can now look forward to a rest day tomorrow (Saturday) before taking to the Apparatus Finals on Sunday, where he’ll perform on the Pommel after a strong display in the qualifiers during the week.
Speaking from the finals, Gymnastics Ireland CEO, Ciaran Gallagher was impressed with the young man from Bangor;
“Rhys proved today he is among Europes best up & coming gymnasts, this result places him on the roadmap to an exciting future and along with the rest of our talented juniors proves gymnastics in Ireland is on the rise. We now look forward to seeing Rhys on his specialist piece in the Top 8 pommel horse final on Sunday. Congratulations to Rhys' coach & Irish National Performance Coach, Luke Carson & Gymnastics Ireland Performance & Technical Manager Sally Filmer for their hard work and guidance in getting Rhys to this position.”
The apparatus finals for the Junior Men take place on Sunday from 14.45-16.55 and Rhys will be in action on the Pommel from 14.45-15.15pm local time. Highlights will be on BBC2, 3.30pm-6pm.
Next week is the turn of the Irish Female gymnasts to compete when Ireland’s Ellis O'Reilly, Casey Bell and Meg Ryan will be in action.