Slaney Sharks make a splash at national event
SLANEY SHARKS Swim Club were in tremendous form this year, with nine members qualifying to swim at the Irish Division 2 national competition: Holly Furlong, Sam Murphy, Rioghna Hourihane, Ava Byrne, Ava Nolan, Leah Morris, Emma Murphy, Alexi Gillot and Ava Whelan.
Seven of the qualifiers attended the event in the University of Limerick in early July, and it was a very exciting meet, particularly for our first time qualifiers.
The performance of the swimmers during the week was exceptional, with finals being reached, podium finishes and a plethora of personal bests.
Holly Furlong (14) swam twelve events and eleven finals over the four days. She was our only medal winner, bringing home silver in the 200 fly and 400 I.M., plus bronze in the 200m backstroke and 200 I.M.
She achieved P.B’s in the following: 200m free, 2:27.39 (-0.19); 400 I.M., 5:54.78 (-2.01); 100m free, 1:06.84 (-0.67); 200m back, 2:39.13 (-2.24); 400m free, 5:06.89 (-1.18); 200m breast, 3:11.24 (-0.21); 200 I.M. (-4.34).
Ava Byrne (12) swam six events, making first reserve for the final of the 200m backstroke following a very exciting swim-off.
She achieved P.B’s in the 200m back, 2:50.41 (-6.31); 200m free, 2:33.87 (-4.35), and the 400m free, 5:23.73 (-7.64).
Emma Murphy (13) swam three events and made the final in the 200m free, coming in eighth place overall. She also achieved P.B’s in the 200m free, 2:29.79 (-6.22); 100m free, 1:11.60 (-0.42), and 50m free, 31.98 (-1.12).
Alexi Gillot (13) swam two events and was first reserve for the 50m free Final. She achieved P.B’s in both the 50m free, 31.89 (-1.39), and 400m free, 5:24.08 (-7.97).
Leah Morris (13) swam two events, 100m breast and 200m breast, and swam extremely well, achieving good times.
Ava Whelan (10), our youngest swimmer to qualify this year, also swam in two events, the 50m free and 400m free.
Sam Murphy, our only male swimmer, swam the 200 I.M. and also had a super swim.
All the swimmers surpassed themselves, and coaches Liam and Nicky were extremely proud of all their achievements at this gala.
There was a fantastic turn-out for our end of year social/awards night in Leisure Max in Wexford where everyone had an enjoyable night. The night finished with a presentation of awards by head coach Liam.
Recipients were: overall club swimmer of the year, Ava Byrne; ‘A’ squad male swimmer of the year, Sam Murphy; ‘A’ squad female swimmer of the year, Holly Furlong; ‘A’ squad male most improved swimmer, Conor Dempsey; ‘A’ squad female most improved swimmer, Rioghna Hourihane.
‘B’ squad male swimmer of the year:, Peadar Folan; ‘B’ squad female swimmer of the year, Ava Whelan; ‘B’ squad male most improved swimmer, Jack Burton; ‘B’ squad female most improved swimmer, Lily Hammel.
‘C’ squad male swimmer of the year, Reuben Dempsey; ‘C’ squad female swimmer of the year, Mia Barry; ‘C’ squad male most improved swimmer, Harvey Montague; ‘C’ squad female most improved swimmer, Gemma Bourke.
Best training attendance, Alexi Gillot; best female gala attendance, Fleur Gillot; best male gala attendance, James Byrne; overall male round robin attendance, Jack Dempsey; overall female round robin attendance, Sarah O’Leary; spirit of the club, Ava Nolan.
The club would like to thank coaches Liam Murphy and Nicky Murphy for all of their dedication and hard work during the year, achieving the best potential from all the swimmers.
Enniscorthy Slaney Sharks Swimming Club will hold assessments for anyone wishing to join the club for the 2018-’19 season on Saturday, August 11, at 10 a.m. at the Waterfront Swimming Pool, Enniscorthy. Bring a swimsuit, goggles and a hat. A level 5 swim qualification or equivalent is a requirement.
Registration for existing members will commence at 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. For further information, telephone 087-4041544 or e-mail slaneysharksswimclub@hotmail.com