Lakelanders reap the rewards of their hard work at the Nationals in Dublin
31 Jul 2023
Lakelanders reap the rewards of their hard work at the Nationals in Dublin
Swim Ireland's new look 2023 Irish Youth and Senior Summer National Championships took place at the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin from Wednesday 26th to Sunday 30th July 2023 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 of pool and land training so to qualify for this prestigious competition is a huge achievement for all swimmers. There was high excitement and some nerves among the seven Enniskillen Lakelanders who had qualified. Nonetheless in the experienced hands of Head Coach Ben Wiffen, the team brought home several medals and PBs back to their club.
The youngest Lakelander to compete was Niamh O’Donnell (15) who competed in two events, thoroughly enjoyed her first experience at nationals and lifted PBs in both her events. Niamh was particularly proud of her 100m Backstroke performance, taking 1.37 seconds off her entry time, finishing in the top thirty in her age group.
Kate Mc Dade (15) was competing at her second summer National championships. On day one Kate competed in the 100m Breaststroke, qualifying for the final, putting in a storming swim to gain a bronze medal, with a 1.48 second PB. Day 2 saw more great swims and PBs for Kate in her 50m Freestyle and in her 200IM where she was placed 17th in Ireland. Kate’s great form continued on day three where she picked up a silver medal in the 200m Breaststroke knocking an incredible 8.70 seconds of her entry time. Kate had a fantastic final day in her last race she swam the 50m Breaststroke open competition where she finished the 2nd fastest 15 year old in Ireland. Kate was very proud to achieve a silver and a bronze medal and finishing in the top three 15 year old in Ireland in her three Breaststroke events.
16 year old Vita Lavrenova competed for her first time at the Irish Nationals with only joining the Lakelanders last year as a competitive member. Vita was thrilled to have qualified in the 50m Freestyle and pick up a new PB at the competition. A great experience for Vita to take into next season.
16 year old James Mongan qualified for 3 events over the 5 days. James was on the National stage for the first time and had a fantastic Championship. The 200m Backstroke saw him shave 2 seconds off his PB, finishing in the top thirty in his age group. James had also more great swims in the 200m Breaststroke taking off an incredible 3.86 sec and in the final day swam the 100m Backstroke, again taking off over 2 seconds. A great championship for James as he looks forward to next season.
Unfortunately, experienced swimmer Anna Mc Dade (17), entered the competition carrying a back injury. Despite this Anna swam well in her three events, finishing just outside the top thirty in her 100m Breaststroke. Anna was very pleased to qualify for the 200m Breaststroke finals where she finished in seventeenth spot. Unfortunately, not the meet that Anna had hoped for but did herself and her club proud.
Kiril Chursin (17) qualified for four events and really enjoyed his second trip to Irish Summer Nationals. Kiril had very strong swims over the competition week. The 100m Breaststroke saw him shave 2.78 seconds off his PB and he gained another PB in his 50m Breaststroke. Kiril went on to swim a new PB in 50m Freestyle but the highlight of the week was dropping 2.25 seconds of his 100m Freestyle, a performance which gained Kiril a special Swim Ireland certificate in recognition of his time improvements.
Emilie Reihill (17) qualified for her third Irish Nationals, swimming in her favourite Freestyle events 50m, 100m & 200m. Emilie swam well maintaining her times and enjoyed the week at the Summer Nationals.
National swimmer Cora Rooney (18), who swims under the Lakelanders club, is coached by Sinead Donagher and had a most successful meet. Cora has just recently returned from competing at the LEN European Junior Championship in Belgrade. Cora competed in five events over the week and reached finals in all her events. Cora achieved silver in both 50m and 200m Backstroke and bronze in the 100m Backstroke. The highlight for Cora was gold in the 50m Butterfly event. All in all, a most successful week for Cora who looks forward to the 2023 / 2024 season and training with the National Squad.
Head Coach Ben Wiffen praised the swimmers’ efforts over the 5-day meet stating “Irish Nationals are always a highly competitive and tense event. It showcases the swimmers’ hard work throughout the year and I was extremely pleased with every swimmer’s individual performances. Multiple medals and PBs makes it all worthwhile.”
Club Chairperson Aideen Speer praised the swimmers’ efforts and commitment to their sport. Aideen said ‘These swimmers have been training hard over the season and their success is testament to their dedication in the pool. All the swimmers and their families are also grateful to club sponsors Lough Erne Resort and Western Cars. Special thanks is reserved for Enniskillen Lakelanders’ Head Coach Ben Wiffen for his hard work with the swimmers throughout the season and during the 5 days of the event.’
We look forward now to next season but as a club we are very concerned for our future. Formed in 1970, Enniskillen Lakelanders has produced regional and National Swimmers but with the news that the Lakeland Forum is to close for an optimistic three years with no provision or alternative arrangements, the club’s future and the potential loss of swimmers in the county is inevitable unless there is a U turn in the current plan and an alternative site acquired for the new leisure centre or a temporary pool is provided. Since its establishment the Club has maintained a high profile in swimming across Ulster and Ireland. These opportunities are now being taken from our present members and future swimmers for the next number of years within the county. We strongly propose that a more informed plan is made for swimming in Fermanagh.
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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. - 07 Dec 2025Lakelanders’ future challengers deliver strong swims in Omagh
A strong squad of Lakelanders junior swimmers took part in Swim Ulster Future Challengers Meet 2 at Omagh Leisure Centre on Saturday.
Coach Chelsey Weir was there to support the young swimmers who brought home a substantial haul of medal award pins and a raft of new personal times. - 07 Dec 2025Success for Lakelanders at Sliabh Beagh Winter Gala
6 Enniskillen Lakelanders’ swimmers made the journey to the Coral Leisure Centre Monaghan for Sliabh Beagh Swimming Club’s Winter Cluster Meet on 6th & 7th December. - 30 Nov 2025Lakelanders Swimmers Shine for their schools at Ulster Schools Championships
Swim Ulster Primary Schools Cup and Championship was held at the Aurora Aquatic & Leisure Complex, Bangor on Saturday 29th November 2025. Excited for this opportunity to represent their schools, 22 swimmers across 10 local schools headed to Bangor determined to do the South-West proud and qualify for the All-Ireland Championships held in Dublin in March. Although a school competition, all the students attending are committed members of the Enniskillen Lakelanders swimming club and mustered all their skills and training in competing against the best swimmers from schools across Ulster. A successful day saw 4 podium finishes and an amazing number of swimmers qualify for the All-Ireland primary school championship to be held at the National Aquatic Centre Dublin next year. - 10 Nov 2025Lakelanders push for top performances at Dungannon’s 40th Anniversary Gala
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Enniskillen Lakelanders Swimming Club held their Autumn Junior Gala on Sunday 26th October, an event aimed at younger swimmers. This was the club’s first Gala in their new temporary base at Omagh Leisure Centre and there was much excitement among the swimmers from the outset with 37 swimmers from Enniskillen Lakelanders taking part. They were joined by competitors from nine 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 Oct 2025Lakelanders secure awards and new PBs at Belfast Aspiring Champions Gala
11 swimmers from Enniskillen Lakelanders swimming club made their way to the Lisnasharragh Leisure Centre in Belfast to compete at Swim Ulster's Aspiring Champions Meet; the first Gala of the season for swimmers aged 13 and over. The event was held over two days, 18th & 19th October. Coaches across Ulster use this gala to assess and monitor swimmers' skills, providing the scaffolding for the building blocks for success in the coming season.
All the work so far on skills and technique resulted in a slew of Swim Ulster Awards, personal bests and many top ten finishes for the Enniskillen Lakelanders.
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