Quartet of Ulster titles and a slew of medals & PBs at Ulster LC Champs

04 May 2025

A quartet of Ulster titles and a slew of medals and PBs home with Lakelanders to Enniskillen from the Ulster Championships in Bangor.

 

A squad of 12 swimmers from Enniskillen Lakelanders Swimming Club attended the Ulster Age Group and Senior LC Championships at the Bangor Aurora Leisure Complex on 2nd, 3rd & 4th 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.

Darragh Collins (14) impressed in his favoured Freestyle stroke. His highlight was securing a place in the 200m final, hitting the wall as 7th fastest 14 year old boy in Ulster, topped with qualification times for the Irish Nationals in the summer in the 50m, 100m and 200m Freestyle events.

Ellie Dunlop (16) collected a silver medal in the speedy 50m Breaststroke final. She went on to finish 3rd fastest 16 year old in the 100m Breaststroke final, 5th in the 200m Individual Medley and another final qualification in the 200m Breaststroke saw her hit the wall in 4th place in her age group. Ellie looks forward to competing at the Dublin Nationals in July.

Sophie Hanna (13) had three brilliant swims at the Ulster Championships. She held her previous time in the 50m Freestyle while gaining fantastic 5 second PBs in her preferred events of 100m Backstroke and 100m Freestyle. The highlight of the weekend was qualifying for Irish Nationals in all three strokes.

Myleene Leonard (14) maintained her entry time with a strong performance in the 50m Freestyle event.

Hannah Lynch (16) entered 5 events over the three days. She gained 4 new PBs and finished in 1st place in 400m, 800m and 1500m Freestyle and 200m Backstroke. She also finished in 2nd place in the 100m Backstroke after a very close finish in the final.

Martha McCreesh (14) gained a new PB in the 100m Backstroke and maintained her times for the 50m Freestyle, 100m Breaststroke and 200m Freestyle as her preparation for the summer nationals continues.

Kate McDade (16) in her last competition representing Lakelanders, once again displayed her talent and future potential across a number of strokes, qualifying for finals in all four events entered. Against stiff competition in the open age group Kate impressed by winning 2 silver medals, placing 2nd in tight finishes to much older competitors in 100m and 200m Breaststroke. Again this success tinged with sadness and uncertainty due to the end of training opportunities at the Lakeland Forum.

Ryan Mongan (15) produced strong performances in both 100m and 200m Breaststroke, hitting the wall among the top ten 15 year olds in the latter.

Crea Mullen (13) thoroughly enjoyed her 2nd year at the Ulster Championships. She was the 2nd fastest 13 year old in the 100m Backstroke with a PB of over 4 seconds. She continued to have success in her other 2 races 50m and 200m Freestyle. Crea now looks forward to competing at Nationals in July.

Emma Speer (14) had a great weekend at Ulster Championships, qualifying for the finals in both the 100m and 200m Breaststroke. She finished 4th fastest 14 year old in the 100m, claiming a 2 second PB and followed this up by being third fastest 14 year old with a 5 second PB in the 200m Breaststroke.

Emma was delighted with her weekend’s swimming and seeing her hard work is definitely paying off in the pool.

Natalie Swidani (12) shot up the ranks in the 100m Freestyle shaving almost 6 seconds off her entry time to qualify for the final. She swam a further PB in the exciting final to hit the wall in 7th place. She also secured new PBs in the 50m Freestyle and 100m Breaststroke races to round off a fantastic first appearance at the Ulster Championships.

Conal Walker (17) had a strong swim in 100m Breaststroke achieving a new PB.

Club Gala Secretary Michelle Reihill praised the performances over the weekend, a testament to the excellent work of our coaching team led by Fionna Orr and Chelsey Weir. Returning home with 4 Ulster Titles, a total of 8 medals and numerous PBs shows the amazing progress the swimmers are making. With some of our swimmers competing at this level for the first time, the opportunity to swim in finals has provided valuable experience for upcoming Summer National events.

Many thanks to Swim Ulster for another well-run event and special thanks to the many parent volunteers without whom these events cannot take place.

As always the club are grateful for the support of Lough Erne Resort and Western Cars Enniskillen.

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