Aura club make big splash at Dublin gala

AURA Dundalk Swimming Club swimmers had their first outing of the 2019/2020 season at the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin last weekend (6th October) with 16 swimmers competing in almost 50 events at the Leinster Development Gala. Many of the swimmers were experiencing the excitement of the home of Irish swimming and the 2,500 seater spectator area for the first time and our local swimmers certainly did make an impression.

After an energetic warm up under the guidance of Aura Dundalk Swimming Club’s head coach Rafal Rutkowski, the racing got underway with the Girls 100 Meter Freestyle. Dundalk trio Amy McEvoy (13), Emilia Rutkowska (12) and Amelie Friel (11) took to the blocks and put in some impressive displays. Adam Laszio Molnar (14) was next up in the 50m Fly securing a top 3 finish with an impressive time of 35.79 seconds. Sean O’Rourke (12) also knocked over 4 seconds off his Personal Best in the same event.

There were five Dundalk entrants in the Girls 50m Backstroke, Julia Von Coller (12), Amy McEvoy (13), India Steele (13), Maebh Mullen (10) and Amelie Friel (11) and all secured Personal Best times in a fantastic showing of strength for the local club. Not to be outdone by the girls, the Dundalk boys did the Club equally proud when Matthew Messin (12) and Conor Goss (10) both posted Personal Best times in the 100m Breaststroke.

Next up, Aoibheann Conway (12) knocked over 7 seconds off her PB in the challenging 100m Fly event. Adam Laszio Molnar was top 14 year old in the 50m Free with a very impressive time of 30.78. Cedric Saavedra (13) knocked 2.67 seconds off his PB in the same event while Matthew Messin (12), Conor Goss (10), Eanna Finnegan (10) and Oisin Finnegan (11) all posted new personal bests.

In the 50m Breaststroke, Bronagh Harmon was the fastest 11 year old and the second fastest of any age group, knocking almost 10 seconds off her PB. Meanwhile India Steele, Amelie Friel and Maebh Mullen all improved on their times in the same event. Sean O’Rourke knocked 7 seconds off his PB in the 100m Backstroke while Conor Goss and Matthew Messin also secured PBs. The busy morning session rounded off with more PBs when Julia Von Coller, Bronagh Harmon and Amelie Friel took to the blocks for the 100m Individual Medley.

The afternoon session got off to a gutsy start when Sean O’Rourke and Matthew Messin put in another fine display for Dundalk Swimming Club in the Boys 100m Individual Medley. Julia Von Coller finished in the top three 12 year olds in the 50m Fly. In the Boys 100m Free, Adam Laszio Molnar put in another highly impressive performance finishing the top 14 year old in the event with a time of 1.09.60 while Cedric Saavedra and Conor Goss both posted another PB.

In the Girls 50m Freestyle, India Steele secured another personal best time while Julia Von Coller and Emilia Rutkowska did likewise in the 100m Backstroke. The day was rounded off with great celebrations when Adam Laszio Molnar was top 14 year old for the third time in the day when he swam the 50m Breaststroke in a time of 39.83 while Cedric Saavedra was the fastest 13 year old in the same event.

It’s a busy few weeks ahead for our local swimmers with the Leinster Senior & Minor Schools next weekend in the NAC followed the week after by the Leinster Short Course Championship qualifiers at the same venue.

Aura Dundalk Swimming Club are always on the look out for the next generation of Dundalk swimming talent. The Club are particularly interested in hearing from parents of children aged 7-12 who have completed the Aura Swim Academy and two sessions of Lane Coaching (or equivalent standard) or swimmers who have some competitive swimming experience. For further details contact Paul at SwimClub.Dundalk@ gmail.com.