What a fantastic fortnight it has been for the club with swimmers taking part in an Invitational gala in Tralee on the 28th of November and in a “B” gala in Askeaton on the 6th of December. Showing huge commitment and improvements all around, our swimmers can now look forward to a break from competition until the New Year, with only our own annual fun gala, on the 20th of December in Killarney, scheduled for between now and Christmas. Well done to all.
Under 11 girls –
Congratulations to Pia Hickey who put in some powerful displays in Tralee taking silver in the 100 metres backstroke and a second silver in the 50 metres freestyle. Barely pausing to draw a breath, she proceeded to win silver in the 200 metres freestyle and in the 100 metres butterfly in Askeaton.
Under 11 boys –
Some great performances by these young lads in Askeaton with Ethan O’Neill winning gold in the 100 metre breaststroke and silver medals in the 100 metres backstroke and the 200 metres Individual Medley. Nathaniel Doncel won a trio of bronze medals in the 200 metres freestyle, the 100 metres butterfly and the 100 metre breaststroke while Colm Looney won bronze in the 100 metres backstroke with a very fast time indeed.
Under 13 girls –
In Tralee, Wiktoria Niewiadomska had a great day in the pool winning gold in both the 200 and 50 metres freestyle and also picking up a bronze in the 100 metres backstroke while in Askeaton Saibh O’Brien won a tricky gold in the 100 metres backstroke and a stylish silver in the 100 metres butterfly. Meanwhile, Ellen Farndon took a well-deserved bronze in the 100 metres backstroke and Aisling Coffey, showing great pace, won a bronze medal in the 100 metres butterfly.
Under 13 boys –
Charles O’Brien showed some serious style in Tralee taking a difficult bronze in the 200 metres breaststroke and then dismissed all opposition in Askeaton to seize the gold in the 100 metres breaststroke. Also in Askeaton the Daly brothers, Donal and John were knocking lumps out of each other (and anyone else who stood in their way) in all disciplines with Donal winning silvers in the 200 metres Individual Medley and the 100 metres breaststroke together with bronze medals in the 200 metres freestyle and the 100 metres backstroke.
Under 15 girls –
In Tralee, Margaret O’Brien won a spectacular gold medal in the 200 metres butterfly, undoubtedly the hardest race on the card.
Under 15 boys –
Also in Tralee, Alan O’Shea won a very tasty bronze in the 200 metres backstroke.
In Askeaton, John Daly was refusing to be outdone by his younger brother and took silver in the 100 metres backstroke, the 100 metres butterfly and the 200 metres Individual Medley together with a handy bronze in the 200 metre freestyle – both brother easily notching up “A” gala qualification times.
Over 16 girls –
A special entry in Tralee was Marta Doberschuetz who took to the waters for the club in some style winning gold in the 100 metres breaststroke, silver in the 200 metres breaststroke and another silver for good measure in the 100 metres freestyle.
In Askeaton Janine O’Connor, relying on her speed, won a gold medal in the 200 metres freestyle, and a pair of silver medals in the 100 metres backstroke and the 200 metres Individual Medley – they’ll look good on the Christmas tree in Fossa!
Over 16 boys
In Tralee, Shane Courtney won a bronze medal in the most difficult and closely watched swimming stroke of all, the 200 metres butterfly. Robert O’Brien produced some powerful strokes to win silver in the 100 metres breaststroke, bronze in the 100 metres butterfly and yet another bronze medal in the 200 metres backstroke while Shane Kerins drew attention by winning silver in the 100 butterfly and bronze in the 50 metres freestyle.
Relays –
Under 12 girls – Well done to Aisling Coffey, Ellen O’Connor, Moya Noctor and Ellen Farndon who won gold in the freestyle relay and silver in the Medley relay.
Under 12 boys – Nathaniel Doncel, Colm Looney, Charles O’Brien and Ethan O’Neill did the business for the club in the 200 metres Medley Relay winning gold medals.
Under 14 boys – Paul O’Leary, Rian O’Donovan, Sean Farndon and Donal Daly, who were on fire all day, won gold in the Medley Relay and silver in the freestyle relay.

A special mention for Elizabeth McGuire who was taking part in her first “B” gala and who had some really superb swims – definitely one to watch for the future. Also Eva Quinn who became our first soldier injured in combat when she fell in Tralee and broke a bone – but that didn’t stop her travelling to Askeaton, complete with crutches, to support her teammates! Well done Eva and we’ll see you back in the pool in January.

Thanks to our coaches who travelled to Tralee and to Cathal O’Brien and Leontia Doody who were fantastic in Askeaton. Thanks also to all parents who travelled in poor weather conditions, especially those who took part in the timekeeping.