03 Feb 2020

22 swimmers from Enniskillen Lakelanders recently made the trip to Bangor Aurora Leisure Centre for the first Swim Ulster Qualifying Gala of 2020. This 2 day event is one of an annual series that gives athletes the opportunity to attain qualifying times to compete in the Irish National Div 1 & 2 finals held in July every year.

The young Lakelanders put in sterling performances coming back with medals, PB’s and numerous qualifying times for the July finals, as they competed against the best in Ulster.

Hannah Lynch (10) attending her first qualifying gala was delighted with top ten finishes in all events, achieving 3 PB’s in 100m freestyle, 50m butterfly and 200m IM. Her older brother, Ben Lynch (16) took part in five events taking Bronze in the 400m IM with a qualifying time for the Irish summer nationals and Bronze in the 400m freestyle.

Ellie Dunlop (11) returned to competitive swimming for the first time since her appendix operation 7 weeks ago and impressed in the 100m breaststroke with a PB and division 2 time. Ellie gained valuable experience completing the 200 IM and 100m backstroke for the first time long course, edging closer to her qualifying times.

Brothers Frank (13) and Tom Buchanan (11) had a busy weekend taking part in 9 swims. Tom was delighted to maintain all his times, bagging a bronze in his first attempt at the 800m freestyle. Older brother Frank was pleased to PB in all events having recently returned to the pool following a broken wrist, securing silver in the 50m backstroke and division 2 times in 100m backstroke and 50m freestyle.

Jamie Lannon (12) continues to show considerable improvement, achieving 3 more division 2, 5 Ulster age group qualification times, securing 3 bronze, 2 silver and 1 gold. Older sister Isobel Lannon (13) continued her steady form with PBs in her events, Ulster age group and Irish division 1 times in her 200m IM. Izzy was also delighted with her medal wins of bronze, silver and gold.

Anna McDade (13) maintaining good form in her breaststroke, won 2 golds and a silver in the hotly contested 50m, 100m and 200m events. Anna’s improvement and versatility saw PB’s in 100m butterfly and 100m freestyle with top ten finishes; a consistent performance in 200 IM just missed the podium.

Cora Cassidy (13) produced great swims which saw her PB in all events - 200 IM, 50m 100m and 400m freestyle and 200m backstroke.

Emilie Reihill (13) swam in 6 events with top 10 finishes in all events, achieving 3 PBs, narrowly missing out on a medal position in her favoured 50m freestyle.

Cíosa McConnell (14) had a great weekend, securing bronze in the 200m and 50m breaststroke, achieving an Irish Open qualifying time. She had strong swims in the 200 IM, 100m breaststroke and 800m freestyle events.

Molly Johnston (14) had a successful weekend across 7 events with new PB in the 200m breaststroke and had consistent swims in 200 IM and 50m freestyle. In the 50m breaststroke she achieved a PB and an Irish Open time. Her favoured event, the 100m breaststroke saw a 5^th place finish, a PB and her first Irish Summer National qualifying time.  In the 100m freestyle Molly stepped it up again with another PB, and finished with the gruelling 400IM, which she swam well after a long weekend.

Ellie McCartney (14) was not expecting PBs due to training through the current set of galas, however she achieved two incredible new times in the 50m & 200m Freestyle. The latter resulted in the 1^st of Five Gold and Three Silver Medals. Achieving further Golds in 50m, 100m & 200m Breaststroke and the 400m IM, with Silvers in the 50m & 100m Freestyle and the 100m Butterfly. Ellie secured an additional three qualifying times for the Irish Open and additional four for the Irish Summer Nationals.

Her brother, Lewis McCartney swam in the ultra-competitive 17 and over age group. A PB in the 100m backstroke saw Lewis finish with Gold as the fastest swimmer in the event. The feat was repeated in the 200m Breaststroke 25 mins later. A PB in the 50m Butterfly saw him finish with Bronze. Lewis finished the Meet with an additional two times for the Irish Summer Nationals.

Eimear Magee (15) returned to competition after a couple of weeks out of the pool, with PBs in the 100m and 200m freestyle. In her favourite butterfly events she had PBs with a 4^th and 5^th place finish in the 100m & 50m events. Eimear is very satisfied with her weekend performances and is looking forward with increased optimism.

Niamh O’Kane (16) had a fantastic, well challenged 100m backstroke finishing 4th, a very consistent race to finish 4th in the 200m IM, just missing a podium spots in the ultra-competitive over 16 age category. 

Luke Aiken (15) was competing in his first Qualifying gala. Participating in 6 swims he performed very well with PB’s in 50m and 100m freestyle. Luke enjoyed his first taste of competition at this level.

Dara Ronan (15) had a successful weekend securing bronze in the 1,500m freestyle and 200m backstroke with a PB, silver in 50m butterfly and 200IM. After another PB in 200m freestyle finishing 7^th, Dara finished on a high, taking gold in 100m butterfly.

Kealan McShea (17) competed in 4 events, the 100m breaststroke and 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle, finishing close to his PB. Kealan is training intensely in preparation for Dave McCullagh international in 2 weeks, so was happy with his performances.

Three new swimmers took part in their first qualifying gala with the Lakelanders. Anna McGlinchey (15) swam in 5 events 100m butterfly, 100m and 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly achieving a PB in her 50m backstroke. Older Brother Alex (16) swam 4 events 100m Breaststroke, and stayed within his PB in the 100m and 50m freestyle and 50m butterfly.  Seanan Donnelly (13) impressed with 6 events, achieving top 10 finishes in all, taking bronze in the 200m breaststroke and achieving 4 PBs.

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