Castlebar Swimming Club
Castlebar Impress at Irish Age Group Championship
By Michael O'Grady
27, Sep 2010 - 14:53

The National Aquatic Centre Abbotstown was the venue for the Irish Age Group Championships Division 1 held between the 8/10 July. Castlebar had a squad of 14 swimmers in attendance who had achieved qualification times to compete against the top swimmers in each age group.

Eoghan Grady had an amazing three days winning a total of six gold medals including a clean sweep of all the freestyle events the 100 meter, 200 meter, 400 meter, and 1500, meter. He also won the 200 meter, and 400 meter individual medley events, and received the Swim Ireland Award for coming 1st overall in the boys 13 years age group. Eoghan's times were very impressive to and included five qualification times for the British Age Group Championships.

Cillian Melly enjoyed a brilliant swim in the final of the 200 meter butterfly to take the silver medal. He also secured the bronze in the 1500 meter freestyle.

Killian Dervan produced a tremendous swim to take the bronze medal in the final of the 200 meter breaststroke, and Patrick Livingstone also made the final of the 200 meter breastroke with a new personal best time. Also competing for Castlebar with some excellent swims were Condlae McGurrin and Eoin Mitchell who was also on the relay squad alongside Cillian Melly, Patrick Livingstone, and Eoghan Grady.

In the girls section Sinead Mylette showed maturity beyond her 11 years with some superb performances. She claimed the silver medal in the 200 meter butterfly and the bronze medal in the 400 meter individual medley. Both events require real strength and stamina so this was reward for all the hard work and long hours of training put in throughout the year by Sinead and all the swimmers in order to compete at this level. Sinead also made the final of both the 100 meter butterfly and the 100 meter freestyle narrowly missing a podium finish on both occasions.

Chloe Sheridan performed brilliantly to reach the final of the 200 meter backstroke. Ambre Fadden had some excellent swims and made two finals the 200 and 100 meter breaststroke. Aisling Grady produced an excellent swim to make the 100 meter breaststroke final and Ellen Murphy achieved a number of personal best times and was on the girls relay squad alongside Ambre Fadden, Aisling Grady and Sinead Mylette.

Anna Tuohy produced some excellent form including a number of personal best times and Louise Dervan enjoyed some tremendous swims and narrowly missed out on a place in the 200 meter breaststroke final.

All in all a fantastic result for Castlebar Swimming Club to have so many swimmers competing at this level. A rich reward for all the training and dedication displayed throughout the year.

Many thanks to their coach Marian English, Team Manager Aisling Tuohy and all the parents who helped and officiated throughout the year.