Our annual Christmas Gala last Sunday was a huge success with over 75 children taking part in races, relays and fun events. Great credit is due to our coaches Cathal O’Brien, Leontia Doody, Cathal Roche, Vicki Dando, Betty McGuire and Oran Kane (who was taking part in his last event, for the moment, with the club) for their help and participation with a particular thanks to our Chairman and MC for the day, Mike O’Sullivan.

The big race, the Family Race, was, yet again, dominated by swimmers from Muckross (there must be something in the water out there) with the Coffey family deposing the O’Brien family who had been our winners for the last three years! The Coffey’s were a late entry but it was clear, from the moment they hit the water, that they had been training for months.  Afterwards, at our Christmas party, the winners were presented with the Sean O’Grady Plate by Sean O’Grady.  Great praise for the party must go to Margaret Egan who was on the move before dawn arranging food, decorations and prizes.  Thanks also to all families who brought along food and treats and thanks to all our sponsors on the day. Thanks also to Emma Quirke who made this fantastic cake.  Not only did it look good, but it was very tasty too!

The winners for the spot prizes were drawn by a worried-looking Santa who apparently had lost one of his reindeer. However, with the help of some young friends of the club, Sabra, Jenna, Aoife, Alison and David, the reindeer (Prancer as it happens) was quickly found on the roof of Daly’s Supervalu and all is ready again for Christmas Eve.

Finally, the club extends Seasons Greetings to all its members and friends – and   swimmers, before you take that juicy second portion of plum pudding on Christmas Day, remember we are back in the water on the 4^th of January – no gain and there’ll be no pain!