Performance Squad Lay Down Markers in Limerick
Whilst the junior swimmers were competing their first Teletots meet of the season, a team of nine swimmers from the Performance squad made the long journey down to Limerick last weekend to compete in the Dave McCullagh Memorial meet and in a weekend of quality swimming returned with a brace of bronze medals.
- The squad take time out during their programme at the Dave McCullagh meet.
This swim meet, held at the impressive National 50m pool at the University of Limerick, heralds the start of the long course season and is always used to gauge progress and lay down some early season long course best times. The competition is dedicated to the memory of one of Irish swimming’s most outstanding administrators who despite terminal illness was pivotal in the construction of both the Limerick pool and the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin
It is fair to say that in an ‘open’ championships such as this our swimmers are still some way off regular podium places but to achieve qualification for a final or ‘B’ final against more senior and significantly more experienced opposition was a major step towards future successes
The individual bronze medal was secured by Club Captain Katie Reid in the 50m backstroke in a time of 31.56s. Already an established member of Swim Ireland’s 2012 Katie sparkled at this meet and was involved in a number of finals finishing frustratingly just out of the medal places. Nonetheless her 4th place in both the 100m & 200m backstroke as well as setting a new pb of 2:31.61 for the 200m individual medley were all sound markers for the season to come
Following an enforced lay off due to injury, Bethany Carson made a welcome return to the competition pool and it was clear to see that she is making great progress towards full fitness. Swimming a reduced programme she secured three finals berths and was unlucky not to medal finishing 4th in both the 100m freestyle and the 200m IM. Also making a return from injury David Thompson swam close to his pb qualifying for a couple of ‘B’ finals in the 50 & 100m freestyle and will be pleased by setting a new pb of 2:28.56 in the 200m IM. Both swimmers can look forward with new optimism for the remainder of the season.
Rachel Smyth and Jemma Bingham qualified for ‘B’ finals and secured new pbs in the 200m freestyle and 200m backstroke respectively. Rachel finished in third place shaving 2 seconds off her previous best in 2:17.66 whilst Jemma lowered her pb by half a second to 2:37.05. The quartet of City girls, Bethany, Jemma, Rachel and Katie excelled in the 200m medley relay where despite competing against considerably more senior teams they nailed Lisburn’s other bronze medal.
With nearly every swimmer including Olan Derry, Kourosh Abelehkoob and Sarah O’Callaghan recording sound new long course personal best times in several of their swims, Coach Andy Reid was pleased with the results and has a sound platform to build upon for the remainder of the season.
