Swimmers take on Lough Gill for the Northwest Hospice

THE annual Lough Gill swim for the Northwest Hospice took place on Saturday with hundreds of supporters turning out at Doorly Park to cheer the brave swimmers home. The event, which began in 2011 is held in memory of Neil McGarry and it’s raised thousands of euro for the Hospice since its formation. This year it was Meath woman Aoife Donnelly who was first to finish the gruelling 10k Swim, which started at Parkes’ Castle. A delighted Aoife said afterward: “I really enjoyed it, it was was great. It’s a fantastic swim and lovely location and really well organised. My mum is from Leitrim so we are down here a lot. My time was around two and a half hours, I was happy with it. I struggled the bit up the river, it was tough. You think you’re finished but you’re not, you still have quite a bit to go. At the same time I knew I was nearly there, I knew I was going to make it, so I got through it," Aoife added

Evan Kelly, 20, from Riverstown was the third person home and he was doing the swim in memory of his grandmother. He said: "This was my first time doing the 10k. Today is the one year anniversary of my granny who died in the Hospice.

“That was one year ago so that’s the reason why I did the swim today. Her name was Anna and she was from town, Treacy Avenue.

“She was the only reason I did it, I wouldn't have put myself through that otherwise.

“I saw the day when the swim was announced so it was about eleven weeks out and I put together a training plan and stuck to it. I work in Aveeno

Leisure in Ballisodare so I did most of my training there and then did a good bit on the lake trying to get used to it.

“I found it torture,” he laughed. “I was third overall, I’m really happy. The goal was to come under three hours and I think I did that. Aidan Anderson was my kayaker and thanks to him too.

“If I’m ever going to do it again I’ll do it in my skins. There was bits out there when I was hitting full on waves and there was a lot of resistant but it was enjoyable at the end of the day and I’m glad I did it.

“I raised €1200 for the Hospice so I’m delighted with that. My family were here supporting me. I could hear mum from about 4k out!”.

10k swimmer in action during the Lough Gill Hospice swim last Saturday.

The 10k swimmers ahead of their challenge at Parke’s Castle last Saturday morning.

Swimmer and Kayaker in action during the Lough Gill Hospice 10k swim.

Aoife Donnelly - the winner of the Lough Gill 10k swim last Saturday who came home in an impressive 2hrs 29 mins.

10k swimmer in action during the Lough Gill Hospice Swim last Saturday.

Neil Walton celebrates his second place victory at the Lough Gill 10k Hospice Swim last Saturday at the finish line in Doorly Park.

And they are off! The swimmers at the start of the marathon swim last Saturday.

Long distance and open water champion swimmer Lyndsey Dunne in action last Saturday INSET LEFT: SLIGO CHAMPION EDITOR JENNY MCCUDDEN AT THE FINISH LINE OF THE 10K SWIM