Bree snubs Swim Ireland

Andrew Bree could be switching his allegiance to Britain

Andrew Bree has turned down an invite to compete in next month's European short-course championships in Vienna.

The reigning 200-metre breaststroke silver medallist from Helen's Bay was one of four swimmers to turn to down an invitation for the Austrian event.

Bangor's Julie Douglas and Florry O'Connell are expected to travel.

In July, Bree and Steven Manley were reported to be considering not swimming for Ireland again after failing to be selected for the Olympic Games.

Both missed out on the qualifying times but still hoped to go to Athens, and there was talk that Bree could switch his allegiance to Britain.

Bree smashed the national 200 metres breaststroke when he took the silver medal last December in Dublin.

Manley's failure to get an Athens ticket, came after he set national records at 800 and 1500 metres..