Kilkeel - the next stop for the Lakelanders Aquaprints Team

13 Apr 2019

Another busy weekend for the young Lakelanders who headed to Kilkeel for the third round of the Aquasprint league. Having won the previous weekend against Armagh hopes were high for the young team. With a slightly depleted team of 34, the young swimmers born between 2011 and 2007 took to the pool with lots of excitement after their long journey by bus to Kilkeel.
The Aquasprint league, sponsored by Forest Feast, is a starting point for the younger swimmers to compete in all strokes in individual and relays over 25m. Aquasprints are a great opportunity for children to build on what they have been learning in the pool and add speed to this and a competitive edge.
First up was the Medley Relays (Back, Breast, Butterfly & Freestyle). Group A of Ryan Mongan, Madeline Curran, Luke Lannon and Beth Jones all swam well showing how well they worked as a team but unfortunately ran in a close second. Next was Group B with Enniskillen, with the team of Hannah Lynch, Ellie Dunlop, Adam Forster and Michael McGowan, taking first place comfortably. Group C up next and they were determined to win which they did with team of Niamh O’Donnell, Eloise Boyd, Jamie Lannon and Tom Buchanan. Group D stepped up and with lots of cheering the team of Nial Bruce, Molly Rice, Abigail Boyd and Hayden James but unfortunately ran in second. The Lakelanders all swam well and at the end of the medley relays points were even.
The first individual event was backstroke with Kilkeel proving very strong at this stroke with just two first places going to Ellie Dunlop and Jamie Lannon. Second position spots went to Niamh O’Donnell, Tom Buchanan, and Hayden James. With third spots picked up by Emma Speer, Hannah Lynch, Michael McGowan, Darcy Balfour and Abigail Boyd. Kilkeel had showed their power against the young Lakelanders and had opened up a twelve point lead.
Undeterred next up for the Lakelanders was the breaststroke and the Lakelanders gave it their all but again Kilkeel were too strong with just two first spots from Ellie Dunlop and Jamie Lannon. Sarah Speer, Adam Forster, Niamh O’Donnell were second with Emma Speer, Luke Lannon, Michael McGowan, Darcy Balfour, Abigail Boyd and Hayden James all securing third. But despite their best efforts Kilkeel stretched their lead further and were now 24 points ahead and were proving their strength.
Next up was the butterfly and the Lakelanders knew Kilkeel were proving very strong but still gave it their all with first places again from to Ellie Dunlop and Jamie Lannon and Niamh O Donnell, with Hannah Lynch, Michael McGowan, Tom Buchanan and Hayden James placing second and Molly Rice a third spot. Although the results weren’t to Lakelanders favour improvements could be seen all around the pool. Again, Kilkeel stretched their lead going into the final individual event.
The final individual event was the freestyle and unfortunately the pattern followed with Kilkeel proving strong. First places again went to Ellie Dunlop and Jamie Lannon, with second placings going to Niamh O’Donnell and Hayden James. Third place finishings for Hannah Lynch, Tom Buchanan and Molly Rice. At the end of the freestyle Kilkeel had further stretched their lead.
Showing great determination the Lakelanders fought hard in the final freestyle relays. Lakelanders won two of the relays again this time around with group A being beaten, Group B with Adam Forster, Ellie Dunlop, Hannah Lynch and Michael McGowan, and Group C with Jamie Lannon, Eloise Boyd, Niamh O’Donnell and Tom Buchanan both securing the first place, while unfortunately Group D were to finish in second place.
The MVS (Most Valuable Swimmer) for the girls goes to Ellie Dunlop, who secured four firsts and was also part of the two winning relay teams of group B (2009). For the boys Jamie Lannon was also on top form, he also secured four first places and two relay teams wins, Group C (2008), well done Ellie and Jamie two young stars.
Despite the Lakelanders best efforts and all the wonderful swimming the final result was Kilkeel 223 to Enniskillen Lakelanders 177. Hard Luck Everyone.
Although the result was more than misfortunate there was still some excellent swimming on the night. Kilkeel pushed the young Lakelanders to swim hard with lots of pb’s on the night. Most notably were Beth Jones , Sarah Speer, Hayden James and Darren Woods who all saw pb’s in each of the four events showing pool time is definitely paying off. Emma Speer, Josh Cassidy, Darcy Balfour, Niamh O’Donnell and Molly Rice all having three pb’s each. Madeline Curran, Luke Lannon, Ryan Mongan, Tom Buchanan, Eloise Boyd, Saoirse McGovern, Georgia Maravelakis, and Alishia Farry all saw times tumbling down as well. Kilkeel’s group D, 2007 were very strong but team captains Abigail Boyd and Nial Bruce pushed all the way along with other experienced members like Ciara O’Donnell and Anna Cairns.
The Lakelanders were missing many regulars there was a chance for new members to shine with great swims by Cara Trainor, Ava Neal, Cameroon Bell, Rory Aiken, Ryan Aiken, Erin Farry, and Niamh Farry.

A special mention goes to Maebh Dolan who has just completed her level 1 coaching and although sick travelled with the children on the bus to Kilkeel. Maebh was very proud of all the young children and said it was clear that every child is improving and working hard at their swimming. The committee acknowledges Maebh’s commitment and help with all the young swimmers within the club and their parents really appreciated how she entertained them the whole way home. Isobel Lannon also made the long journey to help and again this was very much appreciated, thank you Isobel.

Once again, the committee acknowledges parental support especially on this occasion where a two hour journey can be daunting but all parents agreed the bus journey was great and the children had a great day out and definitely worth the effort.

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