Congratulations to Killarney Swimming Club members, Mary Claire McCarthy and Antonette O’Leary, who took part recently in the 2018 Special Olympics Ireland Games, swimming in the National Aquatic Centre in Blanchardstown where they represented both Kerry and Munster.

Now, us folk in Killarney Swimming Club have always known that these two girls are fantastic swimmers, so we were expecting nothing less than their best, but the opposition would be the finest swimmers in the country. So, the question on everyone’s lips as we waved them off was, would they just be small fish in a big pool?

There was no need to worry. Antonette won a very precious gold medal in the 100 backstroke and Mary Claire won silver in the 100 freestyle and bronze in the 200 freestyle. But the proudest moment for both families came when both Killarney girls swam on the Munster freestyle relay team – and won gold for their province!

Both swimmers must now wait to see if they will be chosen to represent Ireland at the Special Olympic Games to be held in Abu Dhabi next March – there won’t be a fingernail left in the club.

Well done to both girls – we are all so proud of you.