McMillan tipped for big things by legend Bree

ahead of clubmate Jordan Sloan, 1:45.19, and Robbie Powell of the NAC, 1:48.06.

He then played a key role in helping Bangor team-mates Sloan, David Thompson and Curtis Coulter finish the championships in stunning fashion as they narrowly held off Limerick to win the 4x50 medley gold in a new Irish senior record of 1:40.28.

Bree, who now coaches in the Bangor club, said: “Jack broke my 200-metre medley record earlier in the championships and this is only the start of this young man’s journey. I love his laid back attitude and working with him with Bangor’s head coach Paul Dennis a couple of times a week has been very enjoyable.

“There’s not a lot I can tell him because he has such a natural feel for the water,” said double Olympian and four-time Commonwealth Games athlete Bree.

“I’ve given him a few breaststroke tips and that seemed to help him take away my record! In regards to his freestyle performances, they were a real masterclass and any young swimmer should watch the way he goes through the water. It looks like he is cruising, there’s no doubt in my mind he has a very bright future.”

Eoin Corby of the National Centre in Limerick took another of Bree’s records when setting a new Irish junior best of 2:11.96 to win the 200m breaststroke gold.

Outstanding McSharry collected her sixth title of the week in the 200m freestyle, touching in 1:59.40. Kilkenny’s Naomi Trait and Bangor’s Rachel Bethel, 2:01.87, battled for silver with Trait prevailing by just 0.25 in 2:01.62.

In one of the most exciting finals of the final evening, Lisburn’s Daniel Whiffen came out on top after a fine battle with Dolphin’s Alfie Kelly in the 800m freestyle.

As they made their final turn there was little between the two but somehow Whiffen found an extra gear and amid a crescendo of noise he took gold in 8:10.58 with Kelly taking silver in 8:11.52.

Ards lad Paddy Johnston picked up his first individual title of the championships when winning the 50m backstroke in 25.41.

Red hot: Jack McMillan celebrates his new record yesterday