European bronze medallist Barry Murphy retires from elite swimming at 29

Olympian Barry Murphy is targeting more medals at the European Championships in Berlin this summer

November 04 2014 11:25 AM

Ireland's Barry Murphy will not be swimming at the Rio Olympics in 2016 after confirming his retirement this morning.

The 29-year-old Dublin described the decision as "arduous" but he felt it was the right time to move on from international swimming.

His decision comes less than a year after his best moment in the pool when he won a bronze medal in the 50m breaststroke at the European Short Course Swimming Championships in Denmark in December last year.

In a statement released this morning, he said: “After much deliberation and an extensive time to reflect, I am happy to announce my retirement from International level swimming. It has been an arduous decision but at 29 years of age, I feel it is the right time.

Thanks to everyone for the initial well wishes. I am happy to announce my retirement from International competition. http://t.co/24qZtLKPDj
— Barry Murphy (@Barry_J_Murphy) November 4, 2014

“To represent the country I love, in a sport I have loved since I was eight years old fills me with an incredible amount of pride. When I set out on this path as a young sports fanatic, I could only have dreamed of having the career I was able to have, achieving the accolades I was able to achieve and embracing the opportunities I was able to pursue.

“Having competed at the Olympic Games in 2012, won a European Bronze medal and World Cup Bronze medal in 2013 and broken numerous Irish national swimming records I feel that it is time to move my attention to something new and hang up the speedos and goggles.”

Swim Ireland's National Performance Director Peter Banks reacted by saying: “I want to congratulate Barry on a great career having represented Ireland at every level of the sport. Barry has shown great commitment and dedication and has been a great ambassador for future athletes in our sport.

"I wish him well and hope he stays involved with Swim Ireland and our sport at some level.”