On Saturday and Sunday last we had 13 swimmers (9 girls and 4 boys) head for Douglas to take part in the Michael Bowles Gala hosted by Sunday’s Well.
Annelies Kouwenberg swam in the 50m, 100m, 200m and 400m Freestyle over the 2 days and achieved PBs (personal best) in all events and achieved her Division 2 qualifying times in the 100m and 400m Freestyle. In both swims she really gave it her all and knocked an amazing 11 seconds off her own time to be over 3 seconds inside the Division 2 time and claiming a gold, silver and bronze for her efforts – brilliant swimming Annelies.
Amy Hawe was swimming in the 50m, 100m and 200m Freestyle, as well as the 100m Backstroke and 100m Butterfly. Amy achieved PBs in the 100m Backstroke and 100m Butterfly as well as the 100m Freestyle on the Sunday to claim silver and bronze medals in her events.
Kayla Whelan Klonowski swam in the 200m Freestyle and the 200m Breaststroke and knocked an amazing 15sec PB off her Breaststroke to claim 3rd place and knocked 8sec off her 100m Freestyle in what was a great swim for Kayla who only recently joined us at Fermoy SC and we look forward to seeing what more she can do heading into Division 2’s in July.
Aisling Diggan and Grace Duggan were swimming at the Michael Bowles for the first time but didn’t let that affect them. They both swam in the 50m Freestyle in their first event and then moved onto the 100m Backstroke where both girls improved their times. It was great swimming by both girls and I know that they will keep training hard to be ready for the next gala.
Ali O’Donnell is a swimmer who seems to be going from strength to strength since joining Fermoy SC and this weekend was no different. She swam in the 50m Freestyle, 100m Backstroke, 200m IM and 100m Freestyle and improved on all her times from pervious galas, this is a great sign for Ali before she heads to Division 2 in UL in July also.
Naoise Hegarty was in on the Saturday to swim the 100m Backstroke and knocked over 3 seconds off her time. Eabha Burke and Kate O’Donnell were in on Sunday for swims where Eabha took on the 200m Butterfly, 50m Butterfly and 100m Breaststroke and after being off swimming for a bit due to illness, she really emptied the tank on the 200m Butterfly – so much so that she had to be helped out for some fresh air straight afterwards – but like a true pro she rested up and swam in her other 2 events later that evening and PB’d in both swims.
Kate was in on Sunday to show her big sister how it was done and she had the support of Ali all the way during her first visit to Douglas and this great event swimming in the 50m Breaststroke. Kate had a great swim and I look forward to seeing her back in the pool again soon.
Moving onto the boys and we start with Zach Daniels-Howard who swam in the 50m Freestyle, 100m Backstroke, 200m Freestyle, 100m Butterfly, 100m Freestyle and finally the 200m IM and swam them brilliantly. Rumour has it there was a bit of bribery going on the night before at home, so I just hope that the deal is honoured! (new togs anyone?). Zach achieved PBs in his 50m and 200m Freestyle where he knocked 6sec off to claim 2nd place and PB’d in the 100m Freestyle and 200m IM to claim a gold and 2 silvers for his weekends work. Well done Zach.
Adam Duggan swam in the 100m Backstroke where he just missed out on his Division 2 time by less than a second after knocking 2 seconds off his time and swam in the 200m IM and 100m Breaststroke on the Sunday and was again just outside his Division 2 times on both swims by milliseconds which is tough but I have no doubt he will be back strong in these events for next year.
Tadgh O’Brien swam in the 200m Freestyle, 100m Butterfly and 100m Freestyle and claimed a bronze medal in the 100m Butterfly. And finally, the swimmer that’s always smiling – Sam O’Brien – was swimming in the 100m Freestyle, 200m IM and 100m Breaststroke and knocked an amazing 3.37 seconds off his 200m IM, well done Sam.
Finally, I want to say a big thank you to all the parents who travelled and encouraged the swimmers over the two days, the Team Managers for assisting the coach and keeping track of all swimmers throughout the gala to ensure they were on time for their events. To our own Declan Howard for Officiating for the two days, its great to see a Fermoy member as an official on days like this.
(Report Coach Warren)
