Congratulations to all our swimmers who took part in the Grade “B” gala in Askeaton on Sunday the 15^th of March. There were noticeable and substantial improvements by our swimmers on their own “personal best” times for events and a fine haul of medals – all down to the hard work and commitment to training put in over the winter months.

Under 11 Girls – Well done to Pia Hickey and Saibh O’Brien in this age group. Pia won a silver medal in the 200 metres Individual Medley with Saibh taking the bronze. The girls swapped places on the podium for the 100 metres backstroke, with Saibh winning silver and Pia winning the bronze medal.

Under 13 Boys – Owen Fitzgerald had a great day out in this category winning a nice pair of silver medals in the 200 metres Individual Medley and the 100 metres backstroke. Meanwhile, Charles O’Brien won a fantastic bronze in the 100 metres breaststroke.

Under 15 Girls – Sarah O’Connor put in some powerful swimming in this highly competitive age group to take bronze in the 100 metres butterfly and bronze in the 200 metres freestyle.

Under 15 Boys – Some great displays by our swimmers in this group with John Daly taking a precious gold in the 100 metres butterfly and bronze in 200 metres freestyle while Michael Brosnan won an outstanding silver medal in the 100 metres butterfly.

Over 16 Girls – Congratulations to Sinead Lucey who won gold in the 200 metres freestyle, one of the toughest races in the gala. Congratulations also to Janine O’Connor who was unstoppable on the day, with a fantastic haul of medals, capturing gold in the 100 metres backstroke and a trio of silver medals in the 200 metres freestyle, the 200 metres Individual Medley and the 100 metres breaststroke.

Under 12 Relay Girls – Once again our relay teams were on fire with our 200 metres freestyle team of Ellen O’Connor, Cliona Murphy, Pia Hickey and Moya Noctor winning a very classy and promising bronze in the fastest of all relay competitions.

Never having competed in a 200 metres Medley Relay before, our coaches bravely entered Eva Quinn, Emer O’Dowd, Ellen Farndon and Julie Rose Bowell. There was no reason to worry. The girls electrified the pool, winning a silver medal for themselves and missing out on the gold by less than four hundredths of a second! Other clubs can only tremble for the future.

Thanks to our coaches, Kristian O’Donovan, Cathal O’Brien and Cathal Roche who gave wonderful support and encouragement to all our swimmers on the day.  Thanks also to all parents for travelling both in cars and on the bus and for taking part in the timekeeping.