Firth finishes with a flourish to clinch third European gold

NORTHERN Ireland swimming star Bethany Firth has ended her World Para Swimming Allianz European Championships in fitting fashion, landing her third gold medal of the week.

The Seaforde girl took top spot on the podium in Sunday’s SM14 200m individual medley final, bringing her total medal haul to five for the week.

Firth (below) had already won gold in the S14 200m freestyle and the S14 100m backstroke, adding to the bronze she earned in her opening race, the SB14 100m breaststroke.

Saturday brought silver in the S14 100m butterfly, losing out to Team GB team-mate Jessica-Jane Applegate, but Firth was back on top on Sunday, edging Applegate into second, with Louise Fiddes completing a GB top three.

Firth (22) also won three golds in the 2016 Paralympic Games, adding to her single gold from 2012. She was then awarded an MBE for services to swimming.

Meanwhile, Welsh swimmer Georgia Davies is aiming to compete in her third Olympics following the most successful major championship of her career.

Davies (27) won four medals at the European Championships in Glasgow, including two golds.

The Commonwealth Games bronze medallist believes she is still improving as she aims to compete at Tokyo 2020.

“I would like to see myself there but there will be a lot of hard work between now and then,” said Davies.