Lakelanders' Aquasprint Squad enjoy another victory, this time V Newry & Mourne

30 May 2022

Saturday 28th of May was a big day for Enniskillen Lakelanders; a fundraising bake sale on the Diamond in the morning followed in the evening by the final round of the Aquasprint league hosted at home in the Lakeland Forum.  Enniskillen Lakelanders had two wins from the previous two rounds under their belt and were hoping to top the table, all that lay in their way was a strong Newry & Mourne team. With home advantage the Lakelanders were hoping for victory as they took to the pool.

First up were the Medley Relays, where competitors take a turn at the four strokes; Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly & Freestyle. Lakelanders took an early lead in the relays winning three out of the four relays. With wins for Group B of Martha McCreesh, Emma Speer, Mirko Mann and Anton Neal; Group C of Ava Neal, Erin Salcedo, Luke Lannon and Enda Burke and Group D of Hannah Lynch, Ryan Mongan, Ellie Dunlop and Michael McGowan. Group A of Keira Salcedo, Fionn Brewster, Sophie Hanna and Daire Burke all swam well each showing how well they worked as a team but unfortunately ran in a close second. Things were looking bright at this stage with the Lakelanders securing an early lead.

Next up was the Backstroke where Newry started to show their dominance and with the Lakelanders having to swim kids up in age groups, they knew they had a battle on their hands. Lakelanders did well with first spots for Sophie Hanna, Martha McCreesh, Ava Neal, Luke Lannon and Hannah Lynch. Ellie Dunlop secured a close second and there were also great swims by Maeve Rolston McAuliffe, Aoife Carey, Mirko Mann, Fionn Brewster, Tori Reid and Arlen Cassidy. At the end of the backstroke, Lakelanders had performed well but had lost the round by six points and held a narrow lead of 2 points.

Breaststroke was next, Lakelanders’ favourite stroke and coaches Ben Wiffen and Sara Lannon watched on hoping they would gain some valuable points in this round. The young Lakelanders swam their hearts out with first positions awarded Keira Salcedo, Emma Speer, Mirko Mann, Ava Neal and Ellie Dunlop. Michael Carron, Martha McCreesh,  Erin Salcedo,  Luke Lannon and Hannah Lynch all finishing second. As well as the top two spots there was great swims by Daire Burke, Emmett Coyle, Jessica Miller, Emily Stewart, Pranny Pacha, Ryan Mongan and Sarah Speer.

Breaststroke round had gone well and the Lakelanders had stretched their lead by eight but they knew all was still to play for with Newry as they entered the butterfly round.

As the butterfly round began it was obvious that Newry were a physically strong side, especially in the boys section. However again Lakelanders shone as 1st spots went to Martha McCreesh, Daire Burke, Martha McCreesh, Luke Lannon, Ellie Dunlop and Michael McGowan and second spots secured by Sophie Hanna, Fionn Brewster, Emma Speer, Ava Neal and Hannah Lynch. There were great swims by Clara Leonard, Muireann Cassidy,  Mylene Leonard, Katie James, Anton Neal, Josh Cassidy, Gavin Mann and Russell Mikiewicz Lumayad. At the end of this round the Lakelanders had taken another two points out of Newry and had a ten point lead heading into the last round.

The last individual event was the Front crawl where the Lakelanders again swam excellently. There were fantastic 1st places for Emma Speer, Ava Neal, Luke Lannon and Ellie Dunlop. On the night both Ellie Dunlop and Hannah Lynch swam sub fifteen seconds which was a great achievement. There were also great swims for Michael Carron, Emmett Coyle, Beth Buchanan and Eimear Carey. As the freestyle round came to a conclusion, no scores were told and everyone knew it was very tight as they headed into the last round of freestyle relays and the scene was set for a nail-biting finish with the Freestyle Relay races.

The Lakelanders were beaten by the smallest of margins in groups A and B and things started to get tense but as in Monaghan two weeks previously  the older swimmers stepped up and the tide was turned when Group C of Ava Neal, Erin Salcedo, Luke Lannon and Enda Burke secured top spot. All breaths were held as Group D of Hannah Lynch, Ryan Mongan, Ellie Dunlop and Michael Mc Gowan, everyone was excited for the last race the cheers of the swimmers were deafening as Michael McGowan touched home and secured victory for Group D.

Supper was served and everyone waited patiently for the totals to be checked and rechecked as it was such a close call but cheers rang out as Aideen Speer announced Enniskillen 205 to Newry & Mourne 195.

On the night there were great opportunities for relay swims for the younger and newer members of the club and they were all a credit to the club; they included Rebecca Curran, Holly Barkley, Katie McGowan, Ava Nugent, Lorcan Doherty, Myah Greene, Caelan Moore and Olivia McCaffrey; well done to all of them.    

The MVS (Most Valuable Swimmers) award for the night goes to Ava Neal who secured four first spots; 16 points for the team as well as helping her team to two relay wins. A special mention also goes to all the boys who swam up on the night, some by two years. These included Arlen Cassidy, Michael Carron, Fionn Brewster, Emmett Coyle, Ryan Mongan and Russell Mikiewicz Lumayad; all securing points for the team. Michael Carron secured two second spots only having joined the Lakelanders at Easter; he is one to watch for the future!

Head Coach Ben Wiffen was extremely proud of all the swimmers and of their individual achievements as were the Aquasprint organisers with wonderful smiles, good behaviour and great swimming along with making friends and having fun.

Chairperson and Team manager Aideen Speer praised all the children and their parents with a special word of thanks to those who had baked and helped out at the bake sale fundraiser earlier in the day. Aideen also gratefully acknowledged the support of Lough Erne Resort; sponsors of all the Lakelanders’ events.

The Lakelanders’ Aquasprint Squad now proceed to the final on Friday 10th June in Omagh and they can’t wait for the challenge!

 

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