Tough competition at Limerick Invitational Distance Gala

On Sunday, the attention switched to the long course and the competition was tough, but not to be put off, our swimmers did us proud in what was a long day for most.

The day started off for Fermoy swimmers in the 200m IM with Jodie Baker and Fiona Miao taking to the water in this event. Both girls swam brilliantly with Jodie taking gold and Fiona coming seventh to be slightly off their PB times. Jodie also swam in the 400m Freestyle for the first time which didn’t intimidate her one bit as she paced it brilliantly to claim another gold and her Division 1 time just for good measure. Brilliant swimming Jodie and keep up the good work.

Fiona also swam the 200m Breaststroke on the day for the first time and finished fourth in a very tough field which I hope will give her confidence to swim this event again in the future. Zoe Daniels-Howard had an early start before her 200m Backstroke but swam brilliantly to finish fifth considering this is a new event for Zoe this year.

Limerick Invitation Gala 2 Sunday
Limerick Invitation Gala 1 Sunday

Sophie Baker was also entered in to the 400m Freestyle for the first time and her pacing throughout was excellent and finished not too far away from her Division 2 time.

Ali O’Donnell was in the pool on Sunday after listening to her sister Kate showing off her medals from the day before so she had a point to prove and by God did she prove it swimming the 200m Breaststroke LC for the first time in a while and knocking over 31sec off her time and claiming silver for her efforts and her Division 2 time. This was a brilliant swim by Ali as she looked so relaxed throughout the swim and she is only going from strength to strength in the pool, keep up the great work Ali.

The last of the girls to swim on Sunday was Mary O’Donnell and a special mention must go to Mary here as she was swimming the 1500m Freestyle event for the first (she says the last!) time which is one of the toughest events you can swim at a gala. Mary paced this perfectly and every one of her lengths were paced the same throughout which is brilliant over the long course. Mary finished sixth at the end and was probably asleep all the way home afterwards.

Lastly, we had 2 boys swimming the 200m Breaststroke in Adam O’Grady and Luca Salvatori and the two lads didn’t disappoint as both achieved their Division 2 times in the event. Adam swam a strong, aggressive and very impressive 200m Breaststroke to be 7sec inside the qualifying time. Luca also swam brilliantly to shave the much-needed time of his PB to ensure he will be swimming this event at the Division 2 in July.

All in all, a very successful two days in UL for all levels of swimmers and as always, they have done Fermoy Swimming Club proud. Thanks to Coach Warren for attending over the two days to support and guide the swimmers.

We would like to thank Limerick Swimming Club for hosting this great event, as well as the team managers and officials for your help over the weekend but mostly to all parents for travelling with your children and supporting them over the two days.

RECENT ADDITIONS TO OUR WEBSITE

Results from Mallow Invitational, Limerick Cadet, Limerick Distance, entries for Development 1 in Mayfield on May 19, entries for Munster LC Championships, Information sheet for Development 2 Meet June 15 (closing date for entries May 19).

Also, please note that the meet information for Division 2 and Irish Summer Nationals is now on the Swim Ireland website, and there are some changes to qualification rules this year, bonus events etc – be sure to have a read if your swimmer has qualified for either event.

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