Leicester triathlete Conor Murphy is celebrating a European triumph – and now he is targeting the Olympics.

The 25-year-old member of Leicester Triathlon Club won the European Sprint Triathlon Championships in Athlone.

He finished first in a field of around 600 in the demanding event, which involved a 750m swim, a 20km bike ride and a 5km run.

He was fifth out of the water after the swim and fourth on to the bike.

Murphy took the lead in the two-wheel section and stayed in front during the run to cross the finishing line in 1hr 39sec.

"I was looking for a top-five finish," he said. "I was in pretty good form in training but to win it was amazing.

"Being on home soil and winning it in front of my family, friends and thousands of Irish spectators just made it that little bit sweeter."

It was also a reward for his decision, in December, to put his career as a chartered accountant on hold to become a full-time triathlete.

As a junior, Murphy won Irish titles at every age-group.

After a break from the sport to focus on a degree at Loughborough University, he returned to triathlon last year.

He said: "Becoming a full-time professional triathlete has allowed me to train with, and compete against, the best triathletes in the world.

"My week usually consists of 25 to 30 hours of swimming, cycling and running, along with countless hours working on core stability, flexibility and recovery exercises. So it's a pretty hectic and tiring schedule."

Looking ahead, the Olympics are in his sights.

"I am from Northern Ireland, and I have passports from both countries," he said. "But, internationally, I have always competed for Ireland."

Murphy is living on his savings, although he is backed by sports-equipment supplier, Sports Factory Shop.

However, he is also looking for more sponsors and anyone interested can contact him on 07736 487676.

Other members of the Leicester club also did well in Athlone.

Haseeb Ahmad, a blind competitor guided by Andy Foster of Leicester Tri, was seventh overall and second in his age-group in the para-tri sprint event, clocking 1hr 16min 54sec.

Carl Shaw was 14th overall and second in the 30-34 age-group in the Olympic distance race, which comprised a 1500m swim, a 40km bike ride and a 10km run, returning a time of 1.59.39. Other local results:

Rebecca Sore, 61st overall sprint distance, 15th in 35-39 age-group (1.20.19); Samantha Rankin, 71st overall sprint distance, 15th in 30-34 age-group (1.22.04); Claire Shea-Simonds, 27th overall Olympic distance and seventh in 30-34 age-group (2.20.52); Katrina Kemp 66th overall Olympic distance and fourth in 50-54 age-group (2.32.22).

Rhona Makepeace was forced to retire during the run because of injury while in medal contention over the Olympic distance.