Barry McClements 'pretty perfect' on way to Commonwealth Games silver success for Team NI in Glasgow

McClements, winner of bronze across the Birmingham event in 2022, viewed his heats as "comfortable...about 85-90%" aware after "a slip on the start...there was plenty in the tank".

He split Australia’s Timothy Hodge and Harrison Vig on the medal podium.

"I think I executed it pretty perfect...had a bit of a glide in the finish, so there's still a bit more room for improvement,” said McClements. "But, just still a massive PB.

"I'm pretty good at blocking out the noise, so just in my own head (over the final) and very happy about the PB.

"I gave a wave up to my family (after the win) and it wasn't even until I was getting my medal that I sort of took in the atmosphere."

McClement plans to enjoy "some off-time now...not going the Europeans, having a normal summer for once and then in the Worlds next year".

It marked a second medal of the Commonwealth Games for Team NI following Saturday’s bronze by Bethany Firth over the women’s 100m freestyle S14 final.

“Huge congratulations to Barry on his Commonwealth silver medal, the second medal of these Games for Team NI,” said Sport NI interim CEO Richard Archibald. “To win silver after his bronze medal in Birmingham is an incredible achievement and testament to his hard work and determination.

“We work closely with Barry at the Sport NI Sports Institute and know how much this medal will mean to him.

“We are also proud to have supported Barry at the start of his career through our National Lottery-funded Athlete Award programme.

“I am sure his success will encourage many young people across Northern Ireland to give swimming a try.”

The Sport NI statement added: “Since 1998, Sport NI has invested more than £4.1 million of National Lottery funding in Swim Ulster to grow their sport and support the clubs, coaches and programmes that give young athletes in Northern Ireland the chance to progress.”

Harrison McGrogan reflected on Monday’s Commonwealth Games debut as the 18-year-old finished fifth in the weightlifting men's 71kg final.

He produced a best lift of 128kg in the snatch then 160kg across the clean and jerk for 288 total points.

"It's been really good...fun to see all the other sports," said McGrogan of his initial experiences at the Glasgow event, with final preparations disrupted by a warm-up hand injury. "It didn't really go my way...I was hoping to finish over 35, I'd done 40 in training.

"The plan was to go 28 and then into the 30s and then high 30s, it would have put me in the chance of getting in the medals...(now) junior Europeans in eight weeks."

Caitlin Fryers has reached the boxing women's 51kg quarter-finals following victory over Zinnat Ferdous of Bangladesh.

"Unreal...it was good to get the first one out of the way and get in the swing of things," said Fryers following Monday morning's unanimous decision. "Relax today (then) bit of training and technical tomorrow before Wednesday (quarter-finals).

"It's just simple training, enough to get a sweat up and keep the weight right...the coaches have it down to a tee."

Team NI swimmers will feature in the Monday closing stages - with Paddy Johnston, Danielle Hill, Lottie Cullen and Jack McMillan making morning progress.

Across Sunday night’s schedule, Grace Davison reached the women’s 100m freestyle semi-finals but missed out on a spot in the main stage.

Adam Bradley was also on show across the semi-finals within the men’s 50m breaststroke.

The women’s 100m butterfly semi-finals featured Alana Burns-Atkin.

Lottie Cullen capped her progress to the women’s 100m backstroke final with eighth.

In bowls, Shauna O’Neill and Chloe Wilson defeated Zambia by straight sets over the women’s pairs with scores of 6-4 and 12-0.

Boxing’s Nicole Clyde will now face a women’s bantamweight 54kg quarter-final on Tuesday following the unanimous decision victory against Nancy Bamfo of Ghana.

"Really happy, I stuck to the game plan and tried to perform as best as I could," said Clyde on BBC Sport NI. "She's a tough durable opponent she doesn't stop coming at you, but that's the sort of fight you want as it makes you step up your game.

"The plan this time is to get to the medal stages, but I'm just taking it one fight at a time."

Her next opponent will be India's Preeti Preeti.

John Paul Hale lost out to England’s Patris Mughalzai in the men's welterweight 65kg round of 16.

DAY FOUR SCHEDULE

WEIGHTLIFTING: 9am - Harrison McGrogan (men's 71kg final)

BOXING: 11.15am - Caitlin Fryers (women's 51kg round of 16); 1.45pm - Eoghan Quinn (men's 80kg round of 16); 7pm - Jude Gallagher (men's 60kg round of 16); 8.30pm - Jon McConnell (men's 70kg round of 16)

SWIMMING: 10.33am - Patrick Johnston (men's 200m butterfly heats); 11.05am - Lottie Cullen (women's 50m backstroke heats), Danielle Hill (women's 50m backstroke heats); 11.28am - Matthew Hamilton (men's 100m freestyle heats); 8.37pm - Daniel Wiffen (men's 800m freestyle final).

ATHLETICS: 1.02pm - Eve Walsh Dann (women's 100m T37/38 round one)

BOWLS: 2.45pm - Shauna O'Neill/Chloe Wilson v Australia (women's pairs); 4.10pm - Gary Kelly v South Africa (men's singles)

GYMNASTICS: 3pm - Rhys McClenaghan (men's pommel horse final)

NETBALL: 4pm - Team NI v Tonga (Pool A preliminary round)