Castlebar - County Mayo - Long Course Nationals

The first ever National Championships (Long Course) were held in the new 50m Pool in Limerick from April 11th to 14th 2002. Seven of the Senior Squad swimmers from Castlebar Swimming Club travelled to represent the club at this event and showed that they are masters of both the short (25m) and the long course (50m) competitions. Some, though not all, of the Castlebar swimmers have enjoyed the luxury of training in a 50m pool while training with Connacht Squads in the U.K. This certainly stood to them at these National Championships; however those who had not had the benefit of the 50m pool training, certainly adjusted very well and all did themselves and the club proud over the weekend.

Cian Holland was consistent as ever; he reached the “A” final of the 200m Butterfly, where he came 3rd overall and 1st in the junior section. (i.e. U. 18). He also reached the “A” final of the 50m Butterfly where he came 4th overall, and 2nd in the junior section. In the “A” final of the 100m Butterfly, he also came 2nd Junior. Cian also reached the “B” final of the 200m Individual Medley where he came 1st, and the “B” final of the 50m freestyle.

Cian also had a key role to play in relay events. Ciaran and Colm Garrick, Darragh Quinn and Cian Holland were finalists in the Freestyle (4 x 50m) Relay, Junior section. But it was the final of the 4 x 50m Medley Relay (Junior Section) which really tested the mettle of the team of: Ciaran & Colm Garrick, Cian Holland and Dara Dever, and of their supporters. Colm Garrick got the team off to a fine start in the backstroke leg, then Dara Dever had a great swim in the Breaststroke leg, followed by Cian Holland who made great strides in the Butterfly and finally Ciaran Garrick had a fantastic swim in the freestyle leg, to clinch the silver medal, pipping the C.R.C. team in the last few inches of the race.

The Castlebar team, beaten only by a team from Bangor, which boasts a number of National Squad members, have therefore set a Connacht Record in this event, to add to the growing list of records already held by our swimmers. No other group deserves success more than these young lads – these results reflect their absolute dedication to their sport and their ability to hold their own with the very best.

There were other fine individual performances also.
Dara Dever reached the “B” final of the 200m Breaststroke and was reserve finalist in 50m Breaststroke.
Darragh Quinn came 2nd in the “B” final of the 200m Breaststroke.
Colm Garrick came 3rd in the “B” final of the 200m Backstroke.
Jimmy Wiseman reached “B” finals of the 200m Breaststroke and Individual Medley events and
Ciaran Garrick reached “B” finals of the 200m Backstroke & Individual Medley.
Laura English swam in the 50m Breaststroke & 200m Individual Medley events to round off yet another terrific performance from Castlebar Swimming Club.