
Lakelanders Lead the Way at Ulster Short Course Championships
18 Nov 2024
Lakelanders Lead the Way at Ulster Short Course Championships
Three swimmers from the Enniskillen Lakelanders Swimming Club competed at the Ulster Short Course Championships held at Lagan Valley Leisureplex at the weekend. With 26 clubs and over 235 swimmers the girls were eager to compete with the best in the province.

Ellie Dunlop (15) qualified for finals in all her events. Ellie won a bronze medal overall in the 100m Breaststroke and was crowned Ulster Junior Champion for the 100m Breastroke with a gold medal. In the 200m Breastroke Ellie finished fourth overall again crowned Ulster Junior Champion with a gold medal. Ellie also competed in the 100m and 200m Individual Medley, finishing in the top ten. Ellie now qualifies to compete in the Irish national winter Championships in Dublin in December.

Hannah Lynch (15) secured PBs in all four events entered. Hannah finished in second place overall and as Ulster Junior Champion in both the 400m Freestyle and 800m Freestyle. She finished in fourth place in the 200m Backstroke final. In her final event Hannah achieved a massive 39 second PB to win Ulster Champion and Ulster Junior Champion and bring home the Keith Buchannan Cup. Hannah has qualified for Irish National Short Course Championships in all these events.
Kate McDade 16 competing against much older and experienced swimmers demonstrated her talent and potential with PBs across all events to qualify for six finals over the three day competition. Competing against the best in Ulster including Olympians, the young Lakelander won a silver and bronze medal in the 50m and 200m Breaststroke events and was proud to represent Lakelanders on the podium with Olympians. Demonstrating her versality Kate had top 5 finishes in 100m IM, 200m IM and 100m Freestyle. She was the first 16 year old to hit the wall which bodes well for future age group competitions at regional and national level. Kate is looking forward to the Irish National Short course competition in December with an impressive 5 qualifying times.
Regrettably the girls' achievements are clouded by the uncertainty as to the future opportunities to train at a level necessary to compete at this high level due to the anticipated closure of the Forum swimming pool.
Thanks to Head Coach Ben Wiffen for his guidance and support across the weekend and to all parent volunteers who helped out over the three day event.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.