Irish Open Championships Success for Lakelanders
08 Apr 2023
Irish Open Championships Success for Lakelanders
Swim Ireland’s Irish Open Swimming Championships started on Saturday (1st April) at the Sport Ireland National Aquatic Centre in Dublin. The 5-day event saw almost five hundred swimmers from seventy clubs compete for national titles in thirty-four individual events and for places on seven Irish National Teams, including a home European Under 23 Championships in August. Four swimmers from the local Enniskillen Lakelanders swim club attended the prestigious meet keen to compete with the best in the country.
Ellie Dunlop (14) swimming in the Irish Open Championships for the first time reached finals in both 50m and 100m Breaststroke events, just missing out on a place in the 200m Breaststroke final. Ellie was delighted with her PBs over the 5 day meet and has now secured her time for the Swim Ireland Regional Squad with her 100m Breaststroke performance.
Kate McDade (14) continues to show her progress at her first Irish Open Championship. A massive achievement in itself to qualify for this competition, Kate further impressed with PBs in both her events – the 100m and 50m Breaststroke. Kate soared up the rankings by 30 and 12 place’s respectively, narrowly missing out on finals in both events. A huge step up for the young Lakelander whose commitment and drive in training is paying off.
Older sister Anna McDade (16), returned to the Irish Open for the second consecutive year, competed in 50m, 100m and 200m Breaststroke events. Anna performed to her PBs and was delighted to qualify for finals in all three events where she lined up with the best in Ireland and beyond, including Olympians. A fantastic achievement in a competition at this level. Fantastic swimming from the McDade sisters!
Lakelanders Head Coach Ben Wiffen praised the swimmers performances at this meet and was delighted to see Ellie and Kate edging closer to their Irish and Ulster Squad times respectively, whilst Anna made finals for all her events. All the girls doing their club proud showing our younger swimmers a shining example of what can be achieved from consistent hard work in training.
Also swimming under the Lakelanders Cora Rooney (18) was on top form competing in the 100m and 200m Backstroke, 50m and 100m Freestyle and 50m Butterfly events. Cora progressed to finals in four events and impressively improved her entry time with new PBs in four events. The highlights of the meet included taking the Bronze medal in the 50m Butterfly ‘A’ final and achieving the consideration times for the 2023/24 National Squad.
Gala Secretary Michelle Reihill praised all the competitors who have all shown great maturity and have gained valuable race experience which will be put to good use at the upcoming Ulster Long Course event in Bangor at the end of April.
- 03 May 2026An Ulster title, a slew of medals and PBs home to Enniskillen from Ulster Champs
A squad of 9 swimmers from Enniskillen Lakelanders Swimming Club attended the Ulster Age Group and Senior LC Championships at the Bangor Aurora Leisure Complex on 1st, 2nd & 3rd May. Competitors from across 32 clubs in Ulster met the tough qualification standards to take part in this key meet over three days, targeting Ulster podium spots, and those important Summer National qualification times. - 26 Apr 2026Lakelanders top the medal board at Spring Gala
Enniskillen Lakelanders Swimming Club held their Spring Junior Gala on Sunday 26th April, an event aimed at younger swimmers. As the Lakelanders approach the first year complete at their temporary base at Omagh Leisure Centre and there was much excitement among the swimmers from the outset with 41 swimmers from Enniskillen Lakelanders taking part. They were joined by competitors from eleven other Ulster swimming clubs. For many of the 8-14 year-old competitors, this would be one their first experiences of individual competition, that all important first step for every sportsperson. - 19 Apr 2026Cracking Racing in Craigavon for Enniskillen Lakelanders' Swimmers
Portadown ASC and Lurgan ASC hosted the South Lake Open Meet 2026 at South Lake Leisure Centre, Craigavon on Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th April. A total of 26 Enniskillen Lakelanders’ swimmers competed over the two day meet.
Saturday morning saw fantastic swimming by 11 of our younger athletes competing in a range of 25m races in the short course format. Many PBs were smashed with the young Lakelanders doing their club proud in the pool. - 29 Mar 2026Enniskillen Lakelanders' swimmers clinch medals & top ten finishes for their sch
The Irish Minor Schools Championships 2026 took place on Sunday 29th March at the National Aquatic Centre, Dublin. 10 Enniskillen Lakelanders swimmers aged 12 and under made the journey, having qualified in November at the regional schools gala in Bangor and were high with excitement as they headed off to Dublin to do their schools proud on the National stage. - 22 Mar 2026Lakelanders Success at Future Challengers Gala in Lisburn
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. - 16 Mar 2026Lakelanders claim awards & PBs in Bangor
11 Enniskillen Lakelanders’ swimmers travelled to the Aurora Aquatic & Leisure Complex, Bangor to compete in Round 2 of Swim Ulster’s ‘Aspiring Champions’ Meet Series on 14th & 15th March. This spectacular 50m pool was the perfect venue for the many challenging events the Fermanagh swimmers were eager to dive into over the weekend. - 16 Feb 2026Lakelanders take the Lead in Lisburn
A squad of 33 Enniskillen Lakelanders’ swimmers attended the Swim Belfast Open Meet on Sunday the 15th of February in Lagan Valley Leisureplex, Lisburn. The gala was a great success for the Fermanagh swimmers who relished the opportunity to compete against swimmers from clubs across Ulster, Leinster & Connacht, returned home with numerous medals and personal best times. - 12 Feb 2026Past & Present Lakelanders lead the way for Fermanagh at Swim Ulster’s Senior Sc
Local Swimmers Sparkle for their Schools as Past & Present Lakelanders lead the way for Fermanagh at Swim Ulster’s Senior Schools’ Cup & Championships in Bangor
The Swim Ulster Schools Cup & Championships 2026 took place on Friday 6th February at Aurora Aquatic & Leisure Complex Bangor. Over 1000 swimmers from more than 130 schools across the province of Ulster took part in the one day event. Three local schools were part of the action with 22 local swimmers taking part. - 01 Feb 2026Young Lakelanders Swim to Success in Belfast
On Saturday 31st January, 13 young swimmers from Enniskillen Lakelanders Swimming Club competed in Round 3 of the Swim Ulster Future Challengers Series at Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre, Belfast. The meet attracted over 450 swimmers aged 10–14 from across Ulster, all taking on the more challenging events of Individual Medley (IM), Backstroke and Butterfly.
The Lakelanders squad rose to the occasion, relishing the opportunity to race against strong provincial competition while aiming for personal best performances. - 26 Jan 2026Lakelanders Secure Medals & PBs at Swim Ulster Open Meet in Bangor
6 Enniskillen Lakelanders’ swimmers competed at Swim Ulster’s Open Long Course Meet at the Aurora Aquatic & Leisure Complex in Bangor on the 24 & 25th January. Swimmers from clubs all over Ireland attended this exciting start to the Long Course season and the Lakelanders were eager to race their fellow athletes in the fabulous 10 lane 50m pool at the Aurora.
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