Well done to all our swimmers who took part in the “B” gala in Tralee on Saturday the 19^th of March.  We are now moving into the business end of the swimming calendar with swimmers from all clubs reaching their peak of fitness, making it far more difficult to win medals.  Despite this, Killarney swimmers were the big achievers on the day, winning nearly a third of the medals on offer.  Congratulations Killarney!

Boys under 11 – Ross O’Leary had a marvellous day out, showing true class to take gold in the 100 metres backstroke and the 200 metres Individual Medley and silver in the 200 metres freestyle and the 100 metres breaststroke.

Girls under 13 – Once again, Saibh O’Brien was in scintillating form winning gold medals in the 100 metres backstroke and the 100 metres freestyle and a silver medal in the 200 metres freestyle.  Aisling Coffey, new to this category, showed some serious potential seizing silver in the 100 metres butterfly and bronze in the 200 metres freestyle.

Boys under 13 – Charles O’Brien gave us a masterclass in style winning gold in the 100 metres backstroke, gold 100 metres breaststroke and silver in the 200 metres Individual Medley.  Meanwhile, Ethan O’Neill took a fine bronze in the 100 metres breaststroke, in what was a very competitive section.

Girls under 15 – In this category, two Killarney girls stood out with Emer Dineen winning a well-deserved bronze in the 100 metres butterfly and Meadbh O’Sullivan, showing a return on all the hard training by winning bronze in the 100 metres breaststroke.

Boys under 15 – Sean Farndon was really up for a fight on the day and literally left other swimmers in his wake to take gold in the 200 metres Individual Medley, silver in the 100 metres breaststroke and yet another silver in the 100 metres freestyle.  However, the biggest prize of all was that Sean made his “A” grade times on the day!  Sean now moves out of “B” gala competition – competitors at “A” galas can only tremble.

Paul O’Leary was another man on fire winning gold in the 100 metres breaststroke, silver in the 100 metres backstroke, silver in the 200 metres Individual Medley and a bronze in the 200 metres freestyle. Well done, Paul.

Girls over 16 – Janine O’Connor once again swept the board in this category winning gold in the 200 metres freestyle, gold in the 100 metres backstroke, gold in the 200 metres Individual Medley and silver in the 100 metres breaststroke.

With some superb tumble-turns and speed off the blocks, Emma Quirke took silver in the 200 metres freestyle, silver in the 100 metres backstroke, bronze in the 200 metres Individual Medley and bronze in the 100 metres breaststroke.  Certainly a swimmer to watch out for in upcoming galas.

Relays – In the girls under 12 freestyle relay event, the Killarney team of Aisling Coffey, Maura O’Keeffe, Ellen O’Connor and Saibh O’Brien were, quite simply, a force of nature. Taking the lead from the moment the race started, they never lost that advantage and by the time Saibh O’Brien took to the water on the final leg, the gold medals were well and truly in the kitbags.  Well done, girls and particular congratulations to Saibh O’Brien who also made her “A” grade times and moves out of “B” galas.  While this will be a huge loss for this brilliant young relay team, the search for a replacement has begun already with the coaches tight lipped on potential candidates!  Unofficially, we understand that assessments will continue until May when the new relay team will be announced.

Thanks to our coaches, Cathal O’Brien and Leontia Doody, who gave huge support and encouragement to all swimmers on the day and to our team manager, Samantha O’Connor who, as always, was there to deal with all trials and tribulations as they arose. Thanks also to all parents for travelling and for assisting in the timekeeping down on deck.

Well done to all our swimmers who took part in the Munster Long-Course Championship which was held at the University of Limerick campus on the 12^th and 13^th of March.  Long-course events are held in Olympic-size pools under Olympic conditions and are only open to the best swimmers in the province so we, as a club, are enormously proud of everyone who took part.

Under 14 Girls – Congratulations to Margaret O’Brien who won silver medals in both the 200 metres Butterfly and the 400 metres Individual Medley, piercing the water with some spectacular dives on the day.

Well done also to Wiktoria Niewiadomska who picked up a beautiful silver in the 50 metres Freestyle. Wiktoria was invited recently to join the Swim Ireland Munster squad so, for that, a special mention must go to her parents, Isabela & Rafai, who do all the hard work driving to training and galas. “Behind every successful swimmer …” etc.  Wiktoria is only thirteen year old, so watch out for that name in the future.

Over 15 Girls – Congrats to Marta Doberschuetz who turned on the style to take silver in the 50 metre Breaststroke and bronze in the 100 metre breaststroke. Marta is well-recognised at this level for her technically beautiful stroke.

Over 15 Boys – Robert O’Brien was simply superb in the pool winning a magnificent gold in the 400 metre Individual Medley, in what is probably the hardest race of them all. Robert, and his sister Margaret who won medals in the under 14 category, specialise in long distance so they were very comfortable in the longer races over the long-course. 

Thanks to our coaches, Cathal O’Brien and Leontia Doody who gave huge support and encouragement to all swimmers over the weekend. Thanks also to all parents for travelling.

Congratulations to all our swimmers who took part in the “B” gala in Tralee on Saturday the 13^th of February.  There’s nothing like a nice piece of gold or silver for Valentine’s Day and that was certainly achieved with over thirty medals being won by our club swimmers and all swimmers achieving “personal best” times for events.

Under 11 Boys – Well done to Ross O’Leary who won silver in the 200 metres Freestyle and bronze in the 100 metres Backstroke. Well done also to Nathaniel Doncel who won a lovely pair of bronze medals in both the 200 metres Individual Medley and the 100 metres Breaststroke.

Under 13 Girls – Saibh O’Brien had a great day out winning a gold medal in the 100 metres Backstroke while Ellen Farndon turned on the style in the long distance events taking silver in the 200 metres Individual Medley and bronze in the 200 metres Freestyle.

Under 13 Boys – In this category Ethan O’Neill powered to a stunning gold in the 100 metres Backstroke and then took silver in the 100 metres Breaststroke while Charles Thomas O’Brien won a magnificently engineered gold in the highly technical 100 metres Breaststroke.

Under 15 Girls – Aisling Reidy was in electric form winning gold not only in the 200 metres Freestyle but also taking a second gold in the 100 metres Backstroke.

Under 15 Boys – Sean Farndon was simply superb on the long distance courses in this, the hardest age group of them all. With a touch of sheer class and speed he easily won the big race of the day, the 200 metres Freestyle.  He then went on to hoover up a very nice bronze in the 200 metres Individual Medley.  Meanwhile Paul O’Leary was also very much on form taking a stylish gold in the 100 metres Breaststroke in the face of some stiff competition and also collecting a lovely silver in the 100 metres Backstroke.

Over 16 Girls – What can we say about Janine O’Connor? Well, how about gold in the 200 Freestyle; gold in the 200 metres Individual Medley; gold in the 100 metres Backstroke and silver in the 100 metres Breaststroke. How does that sound?  They must be adding something to her pasta out in Fossa!

Meanwhile, Emma Quirke was also showing her class in a category dominated by these two Killarney girls. Emma won silver in the 100 metres Backstroke and a trio of bronzes in the 200 metres Freestyle; the 200 metres Individual Medley and the 100 metres Breaststroke.  Nice one, Emma.

Relays – Our young swimmers showed their style in two new categories taking silver medals in both the girls and boys under 12 Medley relays. Well done to both teams!

Thanks to our coach, Cathal O’Brien who gave huge support and encouragement to all swimmers on the day and to our team manager, Samantha O’Connor who, as always, was there to deal with every crisis – both big and small. Thanks also to all parents for travelling and for assisting in the timekeeping down on deck.

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!

Congratulations to all our swimmers who took part in the “A” gala in the University of Limerick on Saturday the 12^th of December.  The pool in Limerick is a 50 metre Olympic size pool – a daunting prospect for the best of swimmers, especially when you are competing against the best in Munster.  A busload of swimmers and supporters travelled from Killarney and what a day was had by all.

Under 15 girls –  Well done to Margaret O’Brien who won a silver medal in the 400 metre Individual Medley and a magnificent gold medal in the 200 metres butterfly.  200 metres Butterfly and still under fifteen!  That’s longer than a GAA pitch – most adults wouldn’t make it out of the small square without sinking!

Under 17 boys – Well done also to Shane Kerins, one of our club captains, who won silver in the 100 metres butterfly and to Robert O’Brien who took the bronze medal in the 200 metres backstroke – a huge achievement by both lads in this highly competitive age group.

Thanks to our coaches who travelled to Limerick and particularly to Cathal O’Brien and Leontia Doody. Thanks also to all parents who travelled by bus and car.

The “in form” Margaret and Robert O’Brien will take to the pool again at our club’s annual fun gala, which takes place this Sunday the 20^th of December in the Sports and Leisure Complex, and the O’Brien family have to be the bookies favourites to win the big event – the Family Race.  However, inside sources say that some Committee Members are considering a bit of a handicap this year, with one proposing that club Chairman, Mike O’Sullivan, swim with the O’Briens so as to “balance things out”.  Don’t place any bets just yet!

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.

Congratulations to all our swimmers who took part in the “C” gala in Tralee on Sunday the 8^th of November.  For some, this would have been their first ever gala.  All swimmers achieved “personal best” times for events and Club swimmers won a total of 20 medals:

Under 11 Boys – Well done to Killian Spillane who won a nice pair of bronze medals in the 100 metres freestyle and the 50 metres backstroke.

Under 13 Boys – Ethan Falvey won a very good bronze medal in a particularly difficult 50 metre breaststroke event.

Under 13 Girls – A huge bualadh bos goes to Imogen O’Connor in what, as it turns out, was her last “C” gala.  Competing in four events, Imogen romped home to win gold in all four – the 100 metres freestyle, the 50 metres backstroke, the 100 metres Individual Medley and the 50 metres breaststroke.  Imogen now moves up to “B” galas and we wish her the best.  Clodagh Carroll, Aisling White and Roisin O’Callaghan were also in flying form with Clodagh taking silver in the 100 metres Individual Medley, Aisling winning silver in the 50 metres breaststroke and Roisin winning a bronze in the 50 metres backstroke.  Praise also for Maura O’Keeffe and Louise Fleming who were taking part in their first gala, Maura winning a silver medal in the 50 metres butterfly and Louise coming in a very credible fourth in the highly technical 50 metres breaststroke.

Under 15 Girls – Emma Quirke was another girl who was on fire on the day winning gold medals in the 50 metres backstroke and the 100 metres Individual Medley followed up with a brace of silver medals in the 100 metres freestyle and the 50 metres breaststroke.  Meanwhile, Courtney O’Sullivan took silver in the 50 metres backstroke and bronze in both the 100 metres freestyle and the 100 metres Individual Medley while Sadbh Ni Chathasaigh won two nice bronze medals in the 50 metres backstroke and the 50 metres breaststroke.  Nice one, Sadbh!

Thanks to our coaches Cathal O’Brien, Cathal Roche and Vicki Dando who gave huge support and encouragement to all swimmers on the day.  Thanks also to all parents for travelling.

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.

Congratulations to all concerned on the news that broke last night (just before Shane Long’s golden goal) that Killarney Swimming Club has been provisionally allocated the sum of €12,000.00 under the 2015 Sports Capital Programme. At last we can dare to dream! Congratulations and “thank you” to Ann-Marie Galvin, in particular, for submitting and shepherding the application home and to Cathal O’Brien and Denis Reidy for all their work behind the scenes. Who knows, we might even rise to a packet of Marietta biscuits for the AGM on Tuesday night.

The real beneficiaries will be our club and our swimmers as we can now, for the first time, invest in the sort of equipment available to other clubs but which we simply could not afford, in particular, diving blocks.

One of the conditions of drawdown is that a proportion of the money needed for equipment must be raised by the club. Tomorrow (Saturday), as it happens, is the annual street collection day for Killarney Swimming Club so, if you see anyone walking the streets tomorrow shaking a box with a purple eagle on it, please give generously. Every Euro invested in the club earns us three more – now where would you get that sort of return?

Just a quick reminder that the Club AGM is scheduled for next Tuesday the 13th at 6:30pm in the Sports and Leisure Complex. You have been warned! Cathal Geraghty from Swim Ireland will be present on the night to take all questions on Swim Ireland policy and procedure.

Also, the Munster Minor & Senior Schools Swimming Championships will take place at the University Of Limerick Swimming Pool, Limerick on Saturday 21st. November ( Minors) and Sunday 22nd. November 2015 (Seniors). Entries can be made through the school and a copy of any entry needs to be given to our club secretary. The final date for entry is the 2nd of November. An information pack on the event is up on our website, here.