Congratulations to all our swimmers who took part in the Mallow Swimming Club Invitational Gala on the 23^rd of October. This was Killarney Swimming Club’s first outing of the new swimming season (which runs from September to July) so it was planned just as a tentative “toe-in-the-water”, so to speak, to test progress in our senior squad. We needn’t have worried. All our swimmers exceeded expectations, achieving personal best times, qualifying for higher grades and bringing hold a sack-load of medals! Well done to all.

Under 13 girls – Wiktoria Niewiadomska set Mallow pool on fire with gold medals in the 100 metres freestyle and the 50 metres freestyle, followed up with a silver medal in the 400metres freestyle. Meanwhile, Treasa O’Sullivan won gold in the 100 metres backstroke and the 50 metres backstroke while Saibh O’Brien announced her arrival as a contender with wonderful bronze medals in the 100 metres backstroke and the 100 metres butterfly.

Under 15 girls – In this age group, Killarney girls simply dominated the pool with Orlaith Reynolds winning gold in the 50 metres butterfly and silver in the 100 metres butterfly, while Margaret O’Brien took gold in the 100 metres butterfly and the 100 metres breaststroke, silver in the 400 metres freestyle and bronze in the 100 Individual Medley. A rapidly improving Niamh Coffey hoovered up bronze in both the 100 metre freestyle and the 400 metres freestyle – definitely a girl to watch out for in the faster races this season.

Under 17 boys – Robert O Brien absolutely powered through the pool to win the longest, fastest race of the day, the 400 metres freestyle. Shane Kerins also turned on the style winning silver in the 50 metres butterfly, bronze in the 100 metres freestyle and bronze in the 100 metres butterfly. Shane Courtney, meanwhile, won a well-deserved silver in the 400 metres freestyle – another stylish swimmer to keep an eye on this season.

Thanks to our new lead coach, Cathal O’Brien, and to Leonita Doody who were both, as always, fantastic on the day. Well done on those results, Cathal! Thanks also to all parents who travelled to Mallow to support our swimmers.