Castlebar Swimming Club
National Swimming Championships 2003
By Linda McCaffrey
6, Sep 2003 - 19:32

The top 10 swimmers from Castlebar Swimming Club travelled to Lisburn, Co. Antrim to take part in the 4 day Irish Open Championships held on 24/25/26/27 July. A total of 49 clubs were competing over the 4 days.

Topping the bill was the 400m Medley Relay team of Colm Garrick, Darragh Quinn,Cian Holland and Dara Dever who, in a fiercely competitive final, managed to take 3rd place. Cian swam Fly, Darragh Freestyle, Colm Backstroke and Dara Breaststroke and they were the fastest qualifiers out of the heats but Ards and Trojan swimmers fought back in the final to take 1st and 2nd respectively leaving them with a hard earned bronze. Celebrations included 16oz steaks all around!

The relay team of Cian, Darragh, Colm and Dara also made the final of the 4x100m Freestyle to finish in 6th place.

Cian Holland swimming the 200m Fly made the A Final to finish 4th overall, breaking his own Connaught record and setting a new time of 2.08.18 which gave him a gold junior medal, again a brilliant achievement for Cian and Castlebar Swimming Club. Cian powered ahead to reach A finals in both 100m Fly and 50m Fly.

Laura English another top performer had a very successful meet and was well satisfied with her swims winning the B Final in 100m Breaststroke in a time of 1.18.35. She swam the 200m Breaststroke in a time of 2 47.76 finishing 3rd in the Final only narrowly missing the A Finals in both swims. Another great swim for Laura was the 400m I.M. finishing in a personal best time of 5.24.01

Colm Garrick a consistently good performer at national level reached the B Final in Mens 50m Backstroke finishing in 5th place. Colm again showed his all around ability by reaching the 50m Breaststroke B final clocking a time of 32;57. Colm’s other swims included 100m I.M., 50m Freestyle and 100m Breaststroke.

Sara English a seasoned competitor showed her usual good form and reached the B Final in Women 50m Breaststroke. Sara’s other swims included 200m Freestyle in a personal best time of 2 18;45 with another PB in 100m Breaststroke of 1.21;13

Darragh Quinn is back on form and achieved personal best times in all his swims reaching reserve finalist place in the Men 200m Breaststroke, 200m I.M. and again in 100m Breaststroke.

Jimmy Wiseman competing at this high level achieved good times and ranking in Men 200m Breaststroke, 200m I.M. and 100m Fly.

Dara Dever had a great 100m Breaststroke swim achieving his fastest time for this year which he must be very satisfied with after also completing his Leaving Certificate. Dara also swam the 50m Breaststroke in a personal best time of 33;94.

Jill Magee trained all year for this prestigious National meet and as usual showed style and class in her swims which included Women 200m Breaststroke, 100m Backstroke, 100m Breaststroke and 100m Freestyle.

Michael Walls swims included Mens 100m Fly in a time of 1;08.36 and 50m Fly in a time of 29;04, both are fine swims from Michael and a great achievement to have reached National level for the first time.

Sarah Caulfield made her first major championship debut and showed great style in the Women 200m Breaststroke swim.

Congratulations to the Lads Relay team once again on setting a new Connaught record of 4.09.54 in the 4x 100m Team Relay

Castlebar swimmers trained week in, week out, early morning and late evening throughout the year to prepare for the National Championships in Lisburn. They are a credit to themselves, the club and the town. There is nothing left to say except Well Done.