Pyramid Gymnasts ‘outstanding’ at national finals in UL

THERE were gongs all round for the Pyramid Gymnastics club in Mallow as they took on the All Ireland National Acrobatics and Tumbling finals which were held at UL at the weekend.

Gymnastics from all over the country took part and the Mallow contingent was well represented with gymnasts from their intermediate and senior classes taking part on both days.

Jackie O’Herlihy said the general standard was “exceptional” and the level of competition was at an all time high.

She explained that their grade five women’s pair which consisted of Niamh O’Connell and Noelle Glynn were first out and competed their balance routine and showed elegance, artistry and “pure gymnastics.”

Then it was the grade three pair of Sinead Looney and Zara O’Hanlon. These girls performed with great east and poise to finish 16th out of 32.

Ms O’Herlihy said it was a fantastic achievement as it was Zara’s first ever National final.

The grade three trios of Sinead Looney, Kira Gould and Emma Hassett along with Alli Fitzpatrick, Ciara O’Callaghan and Kellianne O’Callaghan who performed with confidence and poise.

“Their performance was outstanding competing dynamic and balance elements with choreography to match a lively, energetic routine,” she said.

On Sunday, Niamh O’Connell and Noelle Glynn bagged a silver medal.

The last to perform were Lucy Linehan, Emma Fitzpatrick and Anna Ryan. According to Ms O’Herlihy, these girls were “in a class of their own.”

“They were on the floor first and held their position al the way through out the competition to win gold. Their routine was lively, precise and the timing was excellent. It was well worth waiting for,” said Ms O’Herlihy.

The youngest competitor Ava Hanrahan competed in the age 8-9 section and she walked away with a silver medal, which is a great achievement for such a young gymnast.

Lauren Sheehan performed in the 11-12 age group and bagged a bronze medal after performing two tumble runs consisting of cartwheels, roundoffs and jumps.

Aoife Browne took a well deserved silver medal in the girls aged 13 plus and this had the highest number of competitors.

Anna Ryan, the “tumbling bombshell” sped down the track having performed backflips and summersaults and nabbed a precious gold medal for all her efforts.

Other tumblers included Emma Rose Byrne, Noelle Glynn, Niamh Cronin, Chloe Savage, Lauren O’Kane, Emma Hassett and Zara O’Hanlon.

Noelle Glynn and Niamh O’Connell doing a grade 5 balance at University of Limerick.

At their recent success in UL were from left: Aoife Browne, Ciara Gould, Emma Rose Byrne, Niamh Cronin, Emma Fitzpatrick, Alli Fitzpatrick, Niamh O’Connell, Sinead Looney, Noelle Glynn, Zara O’Hanlon, Anna Ryan, Ava Hanrahan, Emma Hasset, Lauren O’Kane...