Good showing from Fermoy at Munster Future Challenger meet
On Sunday, 7th April, ten swimmers from Fermoy Swimming Club headed to Limerick to compete in the Munster Future Challenger meet.
Ava Fleming romped home in the 100m IM knocking 4.83 seconds off her previous time, achieving first place. Repeating this first place position for Ava was no problem in her 50m Back despite the fact that this was her first time competing in this event.
Mark Geary was entering 3 events that he had not swam before. He got off to a flying start with his 200m IM attaining a great time and second place. Upping the ante in his next 2 events he came home first in his 100m Back and 50m Fly. A great day’s swimming.
Arturas Jakovievas swam his 100m IM in fine style and achieved a personal best.
Aoibhe McCarthy showed such courage in her 200m IM - not only was she swimming it for the first time, but when she dived in her goggles came off. Without batting an eyelid she continued to complete the whole race without goggles and still came in 4th. What a warrior! Aoibhe then went on to come second in her 50m Fly, this time with her goggles!
Sadbh McCarthy swam her 100m Back with great panache, achieving a formidable time. She then went on to cut her PB by a full 7 seconds in her 50m fly. Wow 3.5 secs on every length.
Eoghan Murphy was smashing his PB times in every event. He took a whopping 7.40 seconds off his 50m back, coming second. In his 100m IM he came in third with a respectable -2.80 and then gained another impressive improvement in his 50m fly of -5.02 and a second place.
Lucy Noonan improved her 100m IM time by 0.51 seconds, coming home in second place. She then went on to finish first in her 100m back with a great PB of -2.97 secs.
Heidi O’Donoghue takes the prize for the best PB on the day taking a staggering 10 seconds off her 200m IM. Amazing. Especially when she only swam it 2 months ago, she came home 3rd. Heidi then went on to swim her 100m Back for the first time gaining a super time and second place. She also swam a 50m fly coming in 4th.
Charlotte O’Driscoll was not going to let anyone pass her. She came first in her 100m IM knocking off 2.07 secs and first in her 100m back which she was swimming for the first time.
Ruairi O’Grady was aiming for another incredible PB with a massive -9.34 second off his 100m IM, coming in first. He also swam a splendid 50m back with a second place finish.
Medals are now not awarded at this event, bands are given out when the swimmer achieves their times - just as well, we would have never been able to carry that lot home!
Thanks to all the parents who travelled to the event, not only to support their swimmers but also to help with the many jobs that need to be done in order to run the gala. Thanks to all the Munster volunteers and Limerick for hosting a super gala.
I was coach on the day and I was bursting with pride, at not only how beautifully they swam, but how well behaved they were and the great team spirit. Well done everyone. (Jackie Power)