BY now we should know how the five-person Irish team has done in Valencia, at the European shortcourse swimming championships. Interest will focus on the fact that the team travelled to Spain on Wednesday evening, arriving at around 8.00 p.m. local time. The swimmers were then expected to get up the following morning, compete against the cream of Europe and be expected to perform to their best.

According to the sports website setanta.com, where former Olympic swimmer Nick O'Hare now works, Swim Ireland said that they booked the flights ages ago although declined to be specific on the booking date. In comparison the British team departed for Valencia following the conclusion of the British Championships last weekend. A sporting chance or what?