Cork swimmers deliver at Munster Long Course Championships

THE Munster Youth & Senior Long Course Championships, the premier meet on the regional calendar, took place at University of Limerick recently. 

The event showcases the region’s top swimming talent and served as a final opportunity to qualify for Summer Nationals. The excitement surrounding this year’s championships reached new heights with the announcement of new championship medals. 

BUZZ

The preview of the meticulously crafted medals generated a buzz of anticipation throughout the swimming community and sparked a renewed sense of excitement among athletes, eager to showcase their talent and vie for the opportunity to claim one of the coveted medals.

The first Munster athlete to be awarded a medal, was Andrew Feenan, SWSC. Andrew stopped the clock on 2:20.87 to claim victory at 200m breaststroke. He was ed on that podium by Dolphin duo Ricky Fane and Aidan McGrath, who recorded times of 2:28.29 and 2:33.12 respectively. The achievement was even more special as the medals were presented by his father, Alan Feenan, Chairman & President of Munster Swimming.

The inclusion of Multi Class Para finals was a significant enhancement to the meet, showcasing diverse swimming talents and promoting inclusivity. It provided a platform for our para-athletes to compete at a high level, inspiring fellow competitors and spectators alike, and underscoring the importance of diversity in sport. 

Luke Brennan (15), Blackrock, won all six of his events, 100m & 200m backstroke, 50m & 100m butterfly, 50m & 400m freestyle.

Garvan Gillard (14) battled with Alex Ahern, Kingdom over 400m IM with little separating them throughout, but Gillard clinched it on the touch posting 5:23.18 with Ahern on 5:23.56 for 2nd. Gillard added victory at 100m butterfly 1:07.60 ahead of Ahern, again in 2nd and Lev Lobanets, Dolphin completing the podium with 1:09.44. Gillard topped the podium at 100m backstroke 1:10.17, Cian Vaughan, Dolphin placed 3rd with 1:12.91. The boys also featured on the podium at 200m freestyle with Vaughan in 2nd 2:17.33 and Gillard in 3rd on 2:19.22. Gillard closed out his meet with a third bronze at 400m freestyle 4:51.80.

Lobanets and Vaughan shared the podium at 200m backstroke with Lobanets in 2nd on 2:31.39 and Vaughan 3rd on 2:36.96. They also shared the 100m freestyle podium. Lobanets again in 2nd with1:00.83 and Vaughan 3rd on 1:02.59. Lobanets added a third silver over the sprint 50m freestyle 28.18.

Phelim Hanley (15) Blackrock claimed double gold in the butterfly events posting 1:00.25 over 100m and 2:11.76 over 200m ahead of Thomas Bugler, SWSC in 2nd with 2:18.62. The two boys topped an all Cork podium at 200m backstroke, with Hanley in pole with 2:17.66, Bugler 2nd with 2:21.28 and James McIlroy, Dolphin completing the podium with 2:23.10. Hanley closed out his campaign with a fourth gold at 50m freestyle 25.66 with Sean Semchiy, SWSC in 3rd on 26.67.

ON SONG

Izzy McGrath (18) SWSC was another in excellent form. She topped an all-Cork podium at 100m backstroke. In a closely contested final she touched the wall on 1:07.32 ahead of club mate Ellen Lee on 1:08.17 and Heather Fane, Dolphin was close behind with 1:08.43. McGrath also topped an all Cork podium over the shorter 50m backstroke 30.23 ahead of club mate Isabel Kidney in 3rd on 32.48. 

Ruby Swinburne, Dolphin split the girls from the Well, clinching 2nd place with 32.34. McGrath, Fane & Lee claimed all the medal positions at 100m butterfly posting 1:05.18, 1:06.10 & 1:09.18 respectively. A time of 28.73 yielded her 4th gold at 50m butterfly with Holly Marx, Clonakilty in 2nd on 31.25. McGrath was part of a showpiece final over 200m backstroke. The event was won by Daisy O’Toole, Mallow on 2:33.62, McGrath 2nd with 2:33.76 and Michelle O’Shea, Dolphin completing the podium with 2:33.78.

On the opening evening, Isabel Kidney topped an all SWSC podium at 100m breaststroke. She stopped the clock on 1:15.44 ahead of Eva Harrington on 1:17.32 and Amy Lynch on 1:20.14. Harrington topped a second all SWSC podium in an exciting sprint 50m freestyle. 

She stopped the clock on 27.26, Kidney was 2nd with 27.52 and Izzy McGrath 3rd with 28.58. Kidney swam an impressive 2:11.62 personal best time to win 200m freestyle ahead of clubmate Ellen Lee on 2:17.79 and Dolphin’s Ruby Swinburne in 3rd with 2:21.18. Harrington posted 35.43 to win the 50m breaststroke ahead of Amy Lynch on 36.74 and Holly Marx in 3rd with 36.87. Harrington claimed silver at 100m freestyle with 1:00.26 while Fane collected bronze with 1:02.82.