Lakelanders Success at Future Challengers Gala in Lisburn
22 Mar 2026
Lakelanders Success at Future Challengers Gala in Lisburn
Photos by Cara O'Donohue
On Saturday 21st March, a group of 14 young swimmers from Enniskillen Lakelanders Swimming Club took part in Round 4 of the Swim Ulster Future Challengers Series, held at Lagan Valley Leisureplex in Lisburn. The competition drew over 450 swimmers between the ages of 10 and 14 from across Ulster.
Participants competed in a range of more demanding events, including Individual Medley (IM), Breaststroke, and Freestyle. The Lakelanders swimmers performed with determination throughout the meet, embracing the challenge of competing against a high standard of provincial opposition while striving to achieve personal best times.
Charlie Brewster (10) had a great morning in the pool. Swimming in his favourite 50m Breaststroke event he narrowly missed out on first place by 8 one hundredths of a second. An amazing swim knocking 6 seconds off his previous best time. He was awarded a silver swim Ulster award for his time. He also had a fantastic swim in the 50m freestyle again finishing 2nd with another 6 second personal best.
Older sister Mollie Kate Brewster (11) (10 years of age) produced another stellar performance in her 3 events. Coming away with 3 personal bests - topping her age group in 2 of her events, and being the fastest female (14 and under) over the whole event in the 100m IM. She was awarded 3 swim Ulster bronze awards for her swimming times.
Poppy Brownlee (12) smashed her PBs, taking off an impressive 35 seconds in the 200IM and almost 17 seconds in the 100m Breaststroke, securing top twelve finishes in both events. She also took on a new event, the 200m Freestyle, to complete the Medley Pentathlon for swimming in all five events across the series.
Ella Rose Carron (11) delivered three strong swims, securing two personal bests in the 100m IM and 100m Breaststroke.
Patrick Dineen (10) thoroughly enjoyed competing in 50m breaststroke.
Eoghan Donnelly (12) smashed out three rapid swims — cutting over 3 seconds from both his 100 IM and 100 Freestyle, and an incredible 8 seconds off his 50m Breaststroke, finishing 3rd in his age group.
Ollie Elliott (12) competed in the 100m IM, 50m Breaststroke and 100m Freestyle in which he achieved a PB.
Emily Irvine (11) delivered an outstanding set of swims, achieving two personal bests. Competing in her first-ever 200m IM, she secured an impressive 5th-place finish. She then cut an incredible 17 seconds off her 100m Breaststroke time to take 7th place, before finishing the meet strongly with a 4th-place result in the 100m Freestyle.
Jakub Mikiewicz Lumayad (12) competed in his first 200m Breaststroke race. He delivered a strong swim with a great result, placing 1st overall.
Lauren Loizides (14) had three good swims, achieving two new PBs in the 100m IM and Breaststroke events.
Tiana Mbeulani (13) had two great swims with a new PB in the 100m Breaststroke and maintaining her time in the 100m Freestyle.
Erin McGrath (11) delivered a great performance, with impressive improvements in her times in all three events. In the 100m Individual Medley she placed 15th overall and knocked an incredible 6.19 seconds off her previous time. She then went on to secure bronze medal in the 50m Breaststroke. She delivered a strong swim in the 50m Freestyle placing 5th, with another PB.
Elin O’Donohue (12) delivered three strong swims, setting new PBs in the 100m Individual Medley, 100m Breaststroke, and 100m Freestyle, and securing top 10 finishes in all three strokes.
Isabella Rasdale (11) delivered a focused performance with great determination as she works towards achieving her Pentathlon Award, she achieved two new PBs in both the 200m IM and 100m Breaststroke.
Kealan Rice (13) had a great days swimming with PBs in all three events- 100m IM, 100m Breaststroke and 100m Freestyle.
Club Gala Secretary Aideen Speer commended the squad’s performances, highlighting the positive progress being made as the season continues. She noted that the results are an encouraging sign for the months ahead.
“Our junior swimmers continue to demonstrate great dedication and enthusiasm for the sport. With the guidance of Head Coach Fionna Orr, alongside Coach Chelsey Weir and the wider coaching team, the squad has improved week on week and are working hard towards end of the season, many of the young swimmers are preparing for the Minor Schools All Ireland Finals in Dublin next weekend we wish them all good luck.
The club also extended its appreciation to Lough Erne Resort and Western Cars for their ongoing support, which plays an important role in the development of its swimmers.
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