Great excitement was felt by Fermoy Swimming Club heading to Thurles for the Premier Invitation Gala on May 8th. Some swimmers had not swum competitively for 2 years – for the majority of others it was their very first gala ever.
The long list of novices read as follows: Jack Darrer-Dalton, Charlie O’Brien, Euan O’Grady, Tomasz Kaskiewicz, Daniel Fitzgerald, Shane O’Brien, Emma Weng, Lucy O’Toole, Amy Hanrahan, Sophie Hennessy, Jane Sheridan, Amy Burton, Conor Holland, Charlie O’Brien, Niamh Collins, Victoria Dunlea, Lucia Miao, Matilda Higginbotham, Niamh Kilmartin, Ruth O’Flynn, Ailbhe Brett, Claudine Brett, Liam Kilmartin, Lucy Noonan and Abigail Murphy.
These swimmers did their club and Fermoy proud. The coach attending (Jackie Power) was delighted by their performance and extremely pleased with the excellent swimming technique and skills which they displayed.
Some first timers also amazingly managed to win medals. Emma Weng won silver in the 100m breaststroke and bronze in the 50m breast. Lucia Miao won gold in the 50m breaststroke and bronze in the 50m free. Matilda Higginbotham was on fire, winning gold in her 50m backstroke and silver in her 50m breast against stiff competition.
Now on to our more experienced swimmers. Emily Gorey just missed out on a medal in the 200m IM coming in 4th. Dara Hanrahan was also close in his 50m breast knocking off 11.13 secs. He also smashed his 50m backstroke time and 100m breast. Evie Mai O’Donovan was also just pipped for a medal coming 4th in her 100m breast and 5th in her 100m IM. Maria Murphy swam a good 100m breaststroke time and shaved time off her 50m.
David Dixon was a swimmer who must have had rocket fuel for his breakfast, knocking 14.52 secs off his 50m breaststroke winning gold and followed that up with gold in the 50m back. Margaret Verling was also speeding her way to gold, not only in the 100m back, but also the 50m, she also added the 50m free bronze medal to her collection.
Emily Donohoe won bronze in her 50m fly and followed up with a bronze medal in her 100m IM and then topped it off with an impressive silver medal in her 100m back. Aoibhe Holland won bronze in her 100m free with an outstanding PB of -14.77 secs and was just off the medals in 4th place for her 100m IM.
Grace Duggan was another Fermoy swimmer collecting the silverware with bronze in her 50m fly, silver in her 100m breast as well as her 100m free. Aisling Diggin also took home coveted medals with a silver in her 100m back.
Well done to all the swimmers who attended. The important thing is to enjoy the day and by the smiling faces leaving the pool you certainly did that, much to the delight of the coach on the day. Thank you to Jackie and all the parents who came not only to help and support their children, but who also helped in roles needed for a successful gala. A big thank you for a job well done.
