Local schools make a splash
Success for Bree N.S. and St. Peter’s in Leinster tests
ALL ROADS led to Tallaght Sports and Leisure Complex on January 7 for the Leinster Minor Schools swimming championships.
This gala caters for athletes from the ages seven to twelve inclusive from Leinster who reach the qualifying times, and it’s the pre-requisite qualifier for the Irish schools championships.
Bree N.S. was proud to be represented by six young athletes. Although they usually represent their respective swim clubs, Enniscorthy, New Ross and Wexford, at galas, these young athletes pulled together for their school and showed their strength and team spirit, with all qualifying for the Irish championship next month.
The team consisted of Ava Whelan (9), Claire Whelan and Jenna Kirwan (10), Abi Cullen (11), Holly Furlong and Hannah Fitzpatrick (12).
All girls put in a tremendous effort in their individual events, attaining excellent results by achieving ten top ten placings and eleven personal best times, two silver medals and a bronze medal.
Luckily for Bree N.S. they were able to field an Under-12 relay team in both the medley and freestyle events.
Abi Cullen, Claire Whelan, Hannah Fitzpatrick and Holly Furlong had great races. The girls went from strength to strength, taking the podium for second place in the medley relay and first place in the freestyle relay.
The swimmers fought off stiff competition from primary schools all over Leinster to claim a total of eleven Leinster medals for Bree N.S.: four gold, six silver and one bronze.
Well done girls and we wish you all every success as you head to the National Aquatic Centre, Dublin, on February 12 for the Irish schools.
Meanwhile, eight boys from St. Peter’s College travelled to Dublin on Sunday, January 8, to take part in the Leinster schools championship.
It was a huge success with Darragh Sinnott winning gold in the 200m individual medley and narrowly missing out on bronze in the 100m backstroke.
The Senior team comprising Liam Devaney, David Matthew, Darragh Sinnott and Stuart Vaughan outswam their personal best times to secure a silver medal in the 4 x 50m freestyle relay and also came home with a bronze medal in the 4 x 50m medley team relay with Darragh swimming backstroke, Stuart breaststroke, David butterfly and Liam freestyle.
The Inter team of Dillon Cousins, Niall Griffin, Amjad Ibrahim and David Larkin competed in the 4 x 50m medley team relay and came fifth in Leinster, which is an excellent performance considering that this is the first time this team has swam together.
These St. Peter’s students must be congratulated for such an achievement within Leinster as success in swimming is only as a result of a commitment to intense training.
All these students are members of the Wexford and New Ross Swimming Clubs.