The second B and C gala of the season was held for the Connacht Region, northern area, in Sligo on Sunday 11th November 01.
Castlebar Swimming Club was there in strength and as always had great success in all age groups in the featured strokes - backcrawl and breaststroke. The Castlebar swimmers were particularly impressive in the breaststroke events where six A certs were achieved; in the B category, a total of two golds, two silver and five bronze were won, and in the C category, Castlebar took three gold, one silver and two bronze. Castlebar Swimming Club had its most successful result ever at the Connacht Minor Schools Championships which were held in Tuam on Sunday 21st October 01. Swimmers from Castlebar took a staggering total of 6 Gold, 3 Silver and 4 Bronze medals in individual events in this, one of the main competitions of the year for the younger swimmers. In addition, 1 relay team took silver and 2 took bronze, and a record 16 swimmers achieved the necessary qualifying times for the Irish Minor Schools Championships to be held in the Trinity Pool, Donaghmede on 16/17th November. The first B and C gala of the new season was held at Castlebar Swimming Pool on Sunday 14th October. This event was organised by Castlebar Swimming Club and they would like to thank all who helped in any way to ensure the smooth running of this gala.
Clubs from the Connacht Region, "Northern Area" which includes Claremorris, Ballina, Sligo and Castlebar were represented at this gala featuring Freestyle and Butterfly. The Castlebar Club got off to a flying start, scooping a total of 30 medals (12 gold, 9 silver and 9 bronze) in individual events. In addition three relay teams took gold, two took silver and two teams were in bronze medal position.
In top form for the Castlebar Club were James Sweeney who took two golds - U 11 Freestyle and Fly and also helped the Boys U. 11 "A" team to bronze medal position and Mark Keaveney who also took two golds in the Boys Senior Freestyle and Fly and helped the Boys Senior Relay team to take gold. Conor Heneghan was also in fine form as he achieved an "A" cert in the Boys U. 15 Butterfly. Results "B" Category Congratulations to Cian Holland, who was presented with an award along with the other 10 Connacht Swimmers who won medals at this years National Championships in Lisburn during the Summer. The presentation was held in the Sacre Coeur Hotel in Galway on Monday October 15th. Cian has done himself, his family, his club and his province proud. We wish him every success in the future. Our swimmers represented three areas - Castlebar, Breaffy and Westport so we had a good number of swimmers at the County Finals, which were held in Claremorris on Monday 4th June, last. Castlebar Swimming Club's Cian Holland was in top form at the National Championships, which were held from Wednesday 25th July to Saturday 28th July in Lisburn. As a result of his great swims he is now the proud holder of TWO Connacht Junior records. Castlebar Swimming Club had yet another fantastic weekend of swimming at the Irish Age Groups Division 1, which were held at Athlone Pool from July 12th to 15th.
DETAILS:
A CERTS:
Katie Tuohy, Aisling Bourke and Fionnuala Quinn - U. 11 Br/St
Meabh Garrick and Fergus Sweeney - U. 13 Br/St
Paula O'Neill - U.15/Sen Br/St
Mark Keaveney - U.15/Sen Br/St
B CATEGORY:
Gold: Natalie Bourke U. 11 Br/St
Conor Heneghan U. 15 B/C
Silver: Sarah Caulfield U. 13 B/C
Richard Martin U. 15 Br/St
Bronze: James Sweeney U. 11 Br/St
Paula O'Neill U. 15/Sen B/C
Liam McLoughlin U. 15/Sen Br/St
Eoin Kelly U. 15/Sen B/C
C CATEGORY:
Gold: Niamh O'Malley U. 15/Sen Br/St and B/C
Liam McLoughlin U. 15/Sen B/C
Silver: Doireann Dever U. 15/Sen B/C
Bronze: Charles O'Malley U. 13 B/C
Richard Martin U. 15/Sen B/C
In the relay events, the U15/Sen girls took gold:
Paula O'Neill, Niamh O'Malley, Doireann Dever and Laura Sweeney.
The U.15/Sen boys also took gold:
Conor Heneghan, Liam McLoughlin, Eoin Kelly, Mark Keaveney and Richard Martin.
The U.11 girls A team took silver:
Katie Tuohy, Emma Hynes, Aisling Bourke and Leagh O'Byrne.
The U.11 boys team took bronze:
Rory Grier-Gavin, Padraic Rocliffe, James Sweeney and Edward O'Byrne.
These excellent results are fully deserved, and as always, reflect the huge effort made by the swimmers and their trainers.
Great success for Castlebar swimmers at Connacht Minor Schools Championships!
James Sweeney (Scoil Raifteiri) was in absolutely brilliant form as he took gold in the Boys U.10 50m freestyle. He then went on to take a second gold in the 50m Breaststroke event in very convincing fashion.
Shenagh O'Byrne (St. Angela's) won the gold medal in the Girls U.11 50m Freestyle and in an absolutely nailbiting contest took a second gold medal in the 50m Butterfly event.
Conal Joyce (C.B.S., Westport) was also in fine form as he destroyed the field in the Boys U.11 50m Butterfly to win the gold medal.
Nicholas Quinn (Scoil Raifteiri) took gold in the Boys U. 9 50m Butterfly.
Leagh O'Byrne (St. Angela's) competing in the Girls U. ( 50m Freestyle event won silver and then went on to take a second silver in 50m Butterfly.
A silver medal also went to:
Liane Smyth (St. Angela's) in the Girls U. 10 50m Freestyle.
Bronze medals were won by:
Aisling Bourke (St. John's, Breaffy) who produced a personal best time in the Girls U. 11 50m. Breaststroke,
James Caulfield (St. John's, Breaffy) also with a good swim in the Boys U. 11 50m. Butterfly,
Diarmaid Joyce (C.B.S., Westport) in the Boys U. 9 50m Breaststroke and
Edward O'Byrne (St. Patrick's) in the Boys U. 9 50m Freestyle, both in personal best times.
In the Relay Events, the Girls U. 12 team from St. Angela's which included Aoife Granahan, Aisling Granahan, Emma Hynes and Shenagh O'Byrne took silver in the Medley Team Relay event and bronze in the Freestyle Team event.
For Scoil Raifteiri, the Boys U. 10 team of James Sweeney, Tony Sweeney, Nicholas Quinn and Marty Gallagher also won the bronze medal.
Since they achieved the necessary qualifying times, the following swimmers have qualified for the Irish Minor Schools Championships on November 16/17th.
Emma Hynes, Deirdre Walsh, Aisling Granahan, Aoife Granahan, Shenagh O'Byrne, Leagh O'Byrne and Liane Smyth (St. Angela's),
Patrick Wiseman and Edward O'Byrne (St. Patrick's),
Aisling Bourke, Natalie Bourke and James Caulfield (St. John's, Breaffy),
Fionnuala Quinn and James Sweeney (Scoil Raifteiri),
Conal Joyce (C.B.S., Westport) and
Katie Tuohy (Snugboro N.S.).
Other swimmers to represent their respective schools in Tuam were:
David Walsh and Michael Walsh (St. Patrick's)
Sally Cunniffe, Katie Costello, Katie Rowland, Stephanie Ford and Juliet Connaughton (St. Angela's)
Aoife McHale, Ellen Cahill (Scoil Raifteiri)
Rory Grier-Gavin (Snugboro N.S)
Aoife and Shane Cunningham (Ballyheane N.S.)
Padraic Rocliffe (Gaelscoil, Westport) and
Mary Kelly (The Quay, Westport)
Congratulations to all who took part in the Connacht Schools and very best wishes to those swimmers who go forward to represent their schools at the Irish Schools Championships in November.
* Please note that the new dates for the Irish Minor Schools Championships which is due to be held in The Trinity Pool, Donaghmede is November 16th and 17th 2001.
CASTLEBAR SWIMMERS OFF TO A FLYING START!
Gold: James Sweeney U.11 Freestyle and Butterfly, Mark Keaveney Senior F/S and Fly, Eva Walls Senior F/S., Sarah Caulfield U. 13 Fly and Doireann Dever U. 15 Fly.
Silver: Aisling Bourke U. 11 F/S, Sarah Caulfield U. 13 F/S, Eoin Kelly U.15 F/S, LAURA Sweeney U. 15 F/S, Rory Grier-Gavin U 11 Fly, Eleanor Grier-Gavin U.13 Fly, Liam McLoughlin and Eva Walls Sen.Fly.
Bronze: Eleanor Grier-Gavin U.13 F/S, Liam McLoughlin Sen. F/S, Paula O'Neill Sen. F/S, Fionnuala Quinn U.11 Fly.
Results "C" Category
Gold: Fionnuala Quinn U.11 F/S, Michael Lundy U.15 F/S, Niamh O'Malley Sen. F/S, Nicholas Quinn U.11 Fly and Paula O'Neill Sen. Fly.
Silver: Niamh O'Malley Senior Fly.
Bronze: James Caulfield U.11 F/S, Leagh O'Byrne U. 11 F/S, Edward O'Byrne U.11 Fly, David Walsh U.13 F/S and Charles O'Malley U.13 Fly.
In the relay events, the Girls and Boys Senior Teams (Eva Walls, Laura Sweeney, Doireann Dever, Niamh O'Malley and Mark Keaveney, Liam McLoughlin, Eoin Kelly and Conor Heneghan) took gold, as did the Girls U.13 team (Aoife Granahan, Elaine Joyce, Sarah Caulfield and Eleanor Grier-Gavin).
The Boys U.13 Relay Team (Fergus Sweeney, Bryan Walls, Charles O'Malley and David Walsh) took silver, as did the Girls U.11 "A" team (Aisling Bourke, Natalie Bourke, Fionnuala Quinn and Katie Tuohy).
The Boys U.11 "A" Team wer in bronze medal position Padraic Rocliffe, James Sweeney, James Caulfield and Rory Grier-Gavin) as were the Girls U.11 "B" Team (Aisling Granahan, Emma Hynes, Ellen Cahill and Leagh O'Byrne).
CONGRATULATIONS
Community Games 2001
Ten swimmers from the Castlebar Swimming Club have qualified to represent Mayo at the National Finals of the Community Games held in Mosney on August 17th,18th and 19th. This is one of the biggest contingents to qualify from the Castlebar Club. These winners were: Sally Cunniffe Girls U. 8 25m freestyle, Edward O'Byrne Boys U. 8 25m freestyle, James Sweeney Boys U. 10 25m freestyle, Shenagh O'Byrne girls U. 12 50m freestyle, Laura Keaveney Girls U. 14 50m freestyle, Jill Magee Girls U. 16 50m freestyle, Colm Garrick Boys U. 16 50m freestyle, Zoe Davis Girls U. 14 50m Backstroke, Liam McLoughlin Boys U. 14 Breaststroke and Laura English Girls U. 16 50m butterfly.
Silver medallists at the county finals were: Leagh O'Byrne Girls U. 10 25m freestyle, Patrick Wiseman Boys U. 12 50m freestyle, Anthony English Boys U. 14 50m freestyle, Nicholas Quinn Boys U. 10 25m backstroke, James Caulfield Boys U. 12 50m breaststroke, Sarah Wiseman Girls U. 14 50m. breaststroke and Aisling Bourke Girls U. 12 50m breaststroke.
Bronze medallists were: Conal Joyce Boys U. 12 50m freestyle, Avril Egan Girls U.14 50m freestyle, Ciara McGowan Girls U. 16 50m freestyle, Liane Smyth Girls U.10 25m backstroke, Diarmaid Joyce Boys U. 10 25m backstroke, Eleanor Grier-Gavin girls U. 14 50m backstroke, Fionnuala Quinn Girls U. 12 50m breaststroke, Rory Grier-Gavin Boys U. 12 50m breaststroke and Doireann Dever Girls U. 14 50m breaststroke.
Heartiest congratulations to all our young swimmers and we do know that our ten representatives for Mosney had a very enjoyable weekend, and they did us proud.
Cian Breaks Record at Nationals
First came the 100 Fly where Cian swam a great heat and was unlucky to miss out on an A Final place. Not perturbed by this he went on to win the B final capturing the first of his new records with a time of 59.13 seconds. 16 year old Cian was needless to say the fastest in his age and was ranked 2nd in the Junior (U 19) section. Next was the shorter 50 Fly where he swam a good heat and got a place in the B final. A tightly fought race saw Cian to his next record of 26.84 as well as a Junior Bronze medal. His good performances did not end there. A great effort in the gruelling 200 Fly helped him to 5th place in the final. Touching home in a new personal best and being reserve finalist in the 200 IM capped off a great week for the youngster.
Swimming very well also was Laura English. Her favourite event the 200 Breaststroke was tough but a good heat warmed her up well for a close B final. Laura pulled out all the stops, fought hard and was rewarded with the victory. In the 100 Br/St she also achieved a new personal best and finished 6th in the B final.
Another promising youth Joseph Moran, who specialises in the longer events, also had a good week. An overall 4th in the sports longest in event the1500m Freestyle was followed up well with 5th in the B final of the 200m Backstroke. Joseph got personal bests in both.
Dara Dever was reserve finalist in the 200 Br/St and swam a new personal best in the 100 Br/St all of which he went home happy.
The Mens Junior 4 x 100 Medley relay of Joseph Moran, Cian Holland, Colm Garrick and Dara Dever was an overall 8thand are just shy of a Connacht record. This is a tremendous result for the team as they have three more years in Junior.
Jimmy Wiseman was solid in his 100 Br/St where he improved his best. Colm Garrick also did himself and the club proud with his efforts. The club's youngest competitor Laura Keaveney didn't let the big stage overcome her and gave it her all and showed everyone that she would be around in years to come.
This was one of the clubs best ever Nationals and long may the success continue.
Another gold for Holland at Irish Age group championships
Cian Holland as he has done so many times over the past few years kept ahead of the pack to take the gold medal in the boys U-16 100m freestyle.
The senior boys freestyle relay, which included Joseph Moran, Colm Garrick, Jimmy Wiseman and Cian Holland, were in brilliant form and took the silver in that event.
The senior boys medley relay were also in silver medal position. This team included Joseph Moran, Colm Garrick, Cian Holland, and Dara Dever and just like the freestyle team, are edging ever closer to the Connaught Junior records in these events.
Joseph Moran had a fine swim in the 200m freestyle event (U-16) and finished 5th in the 100m freestyle.
Laura English, too, had a good result in U-16 100m breaststroke where she finished 4th.
Other swimmers who produced personal best times in a number of their events were: Darragh Quinn, who was finalist in the U-14 100m breaststroke, Dara Dever, Zoe Davis, Laura Keaveney, Jimmy Wiseman , Jill Magee and Brian Moran.
Well done to all the swimmers who qualified to compete at this very high standard and special congratulations to the medal winners Cian and the 2 senior boys relay teams. You have done yourselves, the club and coaches Francois Rossi, and Marian English, very proud indeed.
Next up the Irish Open Championships in Lisburn, (July 25th - 28th) and then a well-earned rest before the community games finals, (August 17th - 19th).
Darragh Quinn from Castlebar Swimming Club was in briliant form at the Connacht Age Groups Swim meet which was held in Tuam on Sunday 29th April 2001.
Darragh showed just what a fine ‘all round’ swimmer he is by taking gold in the U.14 200m individual medley event. He continued this wonderful form in the final of he 100m freestyle, where he took a second gold medal.
Also in top form for the Castlebar Club was Laura Keaveney who took silver in the U.13 100m freestyle, bronze in the 100m butterfly and bronze in the 200m individual medley.
Silver medalists were: Laura English girls U.16 100m breaststroke: Dara Dever - boys U.16 100m breaststroke and Shenagh O’Byrne - girls U.12 100m Butterfly.
Bronze medalists were: Joseph Moran - boys U.16 Breaststroke and Michael Walls - boys U.15 100m breaststroke.
Anthony English came 4th in the final of the boys U.13 100m freestyle and Jill Magee was reserve finalist for the girls U.15 100m freestyle.
Other swimmers who represented the club at the Connacht Age-Groups Day 1 were:
Conal Joyce, Patrick Wiseman, Charles O’Malley, Sarah Caulfield, Meabh Garrick, Tracy McLoughlin, Avril Egan, AislingWalls, Brian Moran, Sarah Wiseman, Ciara McGowan, Colm Garrick, Cian Holland and Jimmy Wiseman.
Cian is Top Swimmer at Connacht Age Groups
Cian Holland, from Castlebar Swimming Club, who has rarely been out of the swimming headlines this year, continued his wonderful form on Day 2 of the Connacht Age Groups which were held in Claremorris on Sunday 13th May last . Cian took an incredible haul of 3 gold medals in the Under 16 200m Individual Medley, 100m Freestyle and 100m Butterfly and also scooped the top overall swimmer award in his age group! This is a great achievement for Cian and fully deserved.
Laura Keaveney was awarded 2nd place overall in her Under 13 age group and Darragh Quinn, who was unfortunate not to be able to compete Day 2 of the Age Group Cgampionships due to injury, secured 3rd place overall in his Under 14 category.
Other medal winners from Castlebar Swimming Club were: Anthony English, Under 13 100m Breaststroke, Jill Magee U. 15 100m Bachstroke, both of whom took bronze. Laura English came 5th in U. 16 200m Individual Medley and Jimmy Wiseman came 5th in U. 16 200m Individual Medley and 100m Freestyle.
In the relay events the boys U. 16 Medley Relay Team of Cian Holland, Dara Dever, Colm Garrick and Jimmy Wiseman took gold and the girls U. 16 Medley Team of Jill Magee, Ciara McGowan, Laura Keaveney and Zoe Davis came 4th.
Reserve finalists on the day were: Shenagh O’Byrne, U. 12 100m F/C., Michael Walls U.15 100m Fly, Ciara McGowan, U. 16 100m Fly and Colm Garrick U.16 100m F/C.
Garrick Does the Double at Irish Age Group Championships
Colm Garrick, from Castlebar Swimming Club, had a fantastic weekend of swimming at the Irish Age Groups (Division 2), which were held at Ennis Pool from June 29th to July 1st. Colm took the gold in the U. 16 100m backstroke event, and then went on to take a second gold in the 100m breaststroke. He also took silver in the 100m freestyle event and finished in 4th place in the 200m individual medley. These excellent results earned Colm 4th place overall in his age group, and are fitting reward for the effort and training put in by him and all the Division 2 swimmers as they prepared for this event.
Another Gold medalist for the Castlebar club was Jill Magee in the U. 15 100m backstroke. Jill not only took the gold in this event but achieved a Division 1 qualifying in the process. She also came 4th in the 100m breaststroke, 5th in the 200m individual medley and was a finalist in the 100m freestyle and reserve finalist in the 100m butterfly event.
Ciaran Garrick was also in fine form taking silver in the senior 100m breaststroke, Ciaran also finished 4th in the 200m freestyle, 5th in the 100m freestyle, was a finalist in the 100m backstroke and reserve finalist in the 100m butterfly.
Michael Walls was in bronze medal position in the U. 15 100m butterfly, 5th in the 100m freestyle and reserve finalist in the 100m breaststroke.
Other swimmers representing the club were Anthony English, (U.13) and Sarah Wiseman (U.14) all of whom produced personal best times in many of their events.
Congratulations to the coaches Francois Rossi and Marian English and of course to the swimmers themselves for their fine performances at the Division 2 Championships and good luck to all Division 1 swimmers as they prepare for their finals which are due to be held in Athlone from July 12th to 15th.
Three Castlebar Swimmers make Connaught Team
Three swimmers from Castlebar Swimming Club were selected on the Connaught Team for the Swimming Interprovincials which were held in Tallagh, Dublin on 17th June 2001. On the basis of heir consistent performances and achievements, Darragh Quinn, Laura Keaveney and Anthony English were chosen to represent their province.
Darragh Quinn came 4th in the U.14 100m freestyle and butterfly events and also in the freestyle relay.
Laura Keaveney came 3rd in the U. 13 200m freestyle event and took part in the freestyle relay which was placed 1st.
Anthony English took part in the U. 13 freestyle relay which were placed 4th.
Congratulation to all and to Head Coach Francois Rossi and Marian English, Club Chairperson and Coach.
Our swimmers represented three areas – Castlebar, Breaffy and Westport so we had a good number of swimmers at the County Finals which were held in Claremorris on Monday 4th June last.
Ten swimmers from the Castlebar Swimming Club have qualified to represent Mayo at the National Finals of the Community Games to be held in Mosney on August 17th,18th and 19th next. This is one of the biggest contingents to qualify from the Castlebar Club. These winners were: Sally Cunniffe Girls U. 8 25m freestyle, Edward O’Byrne Boys U. 8 25m freestyle, James Sweeney Boys U. 10 25m freestyle, Shenagh O’Byrne girls U. 12 50m freestyle, Laura Keaveney Girls U. 14 50m freestyle, Jill Magee Girls U. 16 50m freestyle, Colm Garrick Boys U. 16 50m freestyle, Zoe Davis Girls U. 14 50m Backstroke, Liam McLoughlin Boys U. 14 Breaststroke and Laura English Girls U. 16 50m butterfly.
Silver medalists at the county finals were: Leagh O’Byrne Girls U. 10 25m freestyle, Patrick Wiseman Boys U. 12 50m freestyle, Anthony English Boys U. 14 50m freestyle, Nicholas Quinn Boys U. 10 25m backstroke, James Caulfield Boys U. 12 50m breaststroke, Sarah Wiseman Girls U. 14 50m. breaststroke and Aisling Bourke Girls U. 12 50m breaststroke.
Bronze medalists were: Conal Joyce Boys U. 12 50m freestyle, Avril Egan Girls U.14 50m freestyle, Ciara McGowan Girls U. 16 50m freestyle, Liane Smyth Girls U.10 25m backstroke, Diarmaid Joyce Boys U. 10 25m backstroke, Eleanor Grier-Gavin girls U. 14 50m backstroke, Fionnuala Quinn Girls U. 12 50m breaststroke, Rory Grier-Gavin Boys U. 12 50m breaststroke and Doireann Dever Girls U. 14 50m breaststroke.
Heartiest congratulations to all our young swimmers and we do hope that our ten representatives for Mosney have a very enjoyable weekend, we know they will do us proud.
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