Super Swimming by the Lakelanders in Omagh
09 Oct 2019
Eleven swimmers from the Enniskillen Lakelanders swimming club travelled to Omagh Leisure Centre on Sunday the 6th of October to compete in the first of Swim Ulster’s Development Galas of the season. The first session began with warm up at 8am and the Lakelander swimmers were enthusiastic to try their best in their swims, aiming for PBs in their chosen strokes and distances.
Hayden James (12) had PB's all round. In the 100m Freestyle Hayden placed second knocking 7.40 seconds off his previous time. In the 200m Freestyle event, Hayden finished in the top 5 shaving an impressive 13.89 seconds of his previous time. Lastly in the 100m backstroke event he knocked 10.67 seconds off his previous time.
Luke Aiken was looking forward to his first development gala of the season with a clear vision in mind to obtain his final 2 qualifying times. Swimming in the 15 year old section, he started off well with a PB in his 100m freestyle, taking 6th place. After the break he returned to the pool and took 4th place in both 100m backstroke and 50m butterfly. He swam well over the day and now knows with perseverance and further training he will achieve the times that he is chasing.
Hannah Lynch (10) took part in three events achieving 3 new pbs. Hannah finished in 4th place in the 100m freestyle and 100m breaststroke and first place in the 50m butterfly gaining, a qualifying time.
Darren Woods (12) enjoyed his swims, taking part in the 100m freestyle where he had a good swim. He then swam the 100m breaststroke where he managed a 5 second PB and was delighted with his performance. His final race was the 50m butterfly; his favourite stroke, where he took 4 seconds off his time.
James Mongan (12) was delighted to achieve a PB in the 200m freestyle, he maintained his time in the 100m Breaststroke and also swam well in the 50m butterfly.
Kiril Chursin (13) began with the 200m Freestyle, dropping a whopping 29.78 seconds off his time. He then swam the 100m
backstroke and took just over 4 seconds off his previous time. Kiril continued his success with another 4 second PB in the 100m breaststroke.
Anna Cairns, 12, competed in two races; 100m back & 100m breaststroke. Anna achieved a new PB in her 100m backstroke & finished in 4th place overall in her age group. In her preferred breaststroke, Anna performed well & finished in 5th place overall, maintaining her time from last season.
This was Cora McConnell’s debut in Development Galas. She competed in the 100m breaststroke event, earning a new pb and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Lauren Keaney (15) swam extremely well, she achieved a silver medal in her 100 metre freestyle she also achieved silver medal in her 200 metre freestyle, great result for Lauren and her team members starting off the new season.
Kate McDade (11) had a very successful day; she gained a 3 second PB in the 100m freestyle, a massive 10 second PB in the 100m backstroke and maintained her time in the 100m breaststroke.
Oliver Mooney (11) was delighted with his performance; he gained a PB in the 200m Individual Medley and a bronze medal, another PB in the 100m Freestyle and a bronze medal in the 100m breaststroke.
Georgia Maravelakis (12) dropped almost 3 seconds off her time in the 100m backstroke and also swam well in the 100m breaststroke and 50m butterfly.
Enniskillen Lakelanders’ Head Coach Aaron Rickhuss was delighted with the young swimmers’ performance in Omagh, saying “It was a great day out for everyone. The enjoyment at these meets is most important for young swimmers coming into the sport. We were fortunate to have the best of both worlds in regards to enjoyment and results. A big thank you to all the volunteer helpers and also a special mention to Clare Morris who has coached many of today’s swimmers to some awesome performances! Well done everyone!”
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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
A squad of 10 Enniskillen Lakelanders’ swimmers attended Dungannon Swimming Club’s 40th Anniversary Gala on Sunday the 9th November at Dungannon Leisure Centre. The gala was a great success for the young swimmers who returned home with numerous personal bests. - 27 Oct 2025Lakelanders Host First Home Gala in Omagh
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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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