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.
- 27 Jul 2026Lakelanders Shine at the National Championships in Dublin
Swim Ireland's Irish Youth and Senior Summer National Championships 2026 took place from Tuesday 21st to Saturday 25th July at the Sport Ireland National Aquatic Centre, Dublin. The five-day event saw 1125 swimmers from over 120 clubs compete from all over Ireland to as far afield as Dubai. The path to nationals is paved by hundreds of hours in the pool so to qualify for this prestigious competition is a huge achievement for the swimmers. There was high excitement among the Enniskillen Lakelanders swimmers who had qualified to compete. - 12 Jul 2026Lakelanders Sparkle at National Championships in Limerick
Enniskillen Lakelanders Swimming Club were well represented on the National stage at the 2026 Irish Age Group National Championships at the University of Limerick Sports Arena last week. Two young Lakelanders’ swimmers joined almost 700 swimmers from over 100 clubs competing over four days of exciting competition, bringing home a National title to Enniskillen. - 03 Jul 2026Enniskillen Lakelanders will be well represented at Summer National Competitions
With the 2025/2026 swimming season coming to an end, the finale for the competitive swimmers from Enniskillen Lakelanders is the Irish Summer National competitions. These competitions will take place across two meets in July with Age Group Championships will take place in Limerick, followed by Irish Summer National Youth & Senior Championships in Dublin. There is great excitement among the 7 local swimmers who have qualified to compete at these events. - 28 Jun 2026Lakelanders Deliver Outstanding Results at Swim Ulster Swim Festival 2026
A squad of 21 swimmers from Enniskillen Lakelanders showcased their talent at the Swim Ulster Swim Festival 2026, held at Lagan Valley LeisurePlex, Lisburn, on Sunday 28 June, delivering a series of outstanding performances against strong competition.
The Lakelanders rose to the occasion in style, returning home with an impressive haul of medals and personal bests (PBs), highlighting the hard work, determination and commitment of these talented young athletes. - 27 Jun 2026Enniskillen Lakelanders Celebrate Season Successes
Enniskillen Lakelanders Swimming Club held their annual End of Season Gala on Saturday 27th June. This marked the end of the club's 10 month season, and their first year training in Omagh Leisure Centre. The gala was an opportunity for swimmers across all training groups to compete side by side and a fun relay rounded off the event. - 07 Jun 2026Lakelanders Deliver Outstanding Results at Swim Belfast Invitational 2026
A squad of 20 swimmers from Enniskillen Lakelanders ASC made a big splash at the Swim Belfast Invitational 2026, held at Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre, Belfast, on Sunday 7th June, delivering a series of outstanding performances against strong competition.
The Lakelanders rose to the occasion in style, returning home with an impressive haul of medals and personal bests (PBs), highlighting the hard work, determination, and commitment of these talented young athletes. - 06 Jun 2026Medals and PBs for Lakelanders at Banbridge Open
Banbridge Open Long Course Meet took place in Craigavon’s South Lakes Leisure Centre on Saturday the 6th of June.
A squad of 11 Enniskillen Lakelanders’ swimmers, along with Head Coach Fionna Orr, made their way to the fabulous South Lakes Leisure Centre long course (50m) swimming pool for the final club meet of the season for the older swimmers. This meet provided the final opportunity for competitive swimmers to qualify for Swim Ireland's Irish Summer National competitions. As a bonus Banbridge swimming club had extended their invitation to clubs from all over Ireland. The chance to achieve qualifying times and compete against the best in Ireland was too good to miss. - 31 May 2026Lakelanders' successful weekend in Bangor
Seven Enniskillen Lakelanders' swimmers travelled to the Aurora Complex in Bangor to race at the Ian Wright Memorial Gala at the weekend. - 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.
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