Blackrock Invitational for novice swimmers was a huge success

The Blackrock Invitational meet was held recently at the Gus Healy Pool in Douglas. 

The meet was designed specifically for novice swimmers and those experiencing their first competitive gala. 

The meet created a welcoming, encouraging atmosphere where the young swimmers could dip their toes into the world of competitive swimming without any pressure or fear of disqualification. 

The focus was on fun and participation and helped to build confidence in a lively, ive environment. The gala featured a series of short-distance races across all the strokes. 

Parents, friends and coaches were encouraged to cheer enthusiastically from the balcony, which created a festive atmosphere with every swimmer feeling like a winner.

Hazel O’Rourke (9) began her day with victory in 50m butterfly and quickly followed that performance with a silver medal at 100m freestyle. 

In the afternoon session, she added two further gold medals to her haul with victory at 100m backstroke and and 100m IM. 

She was ed on the IM podium by Isabel Cregan SWSC and Robyn Walsh, Streamline.

POWERFUL

Ruby Hennessy (11) had a powerful swim at 100m freestyle to claim victory with a 9.43 second PB. 

Kaya Deasy, SWSC placed third after delivering a 25.74-second improvement on her previous attempt. 

Hennessy placed second at the longer 200m. which was won by Lexie O’Keeffe, Streamline who dipped under the three-minute barrier to post 2:54.47. 

O’Keeffe claimed a second gold at 100m backstroke, with Hennessy again in 2nd, finishing ahead of clubmate Tess O’Neill. O’Keeffe added an additional three gold medals. 

She posted 3:20.41 for victory at 200m IM. She was ed on the podium by the Fermoy duo Heidi O’Donoghue and Aoibh McCarthy. 

A time of 1:36.12 yielded victory at 100m backstroke, finishing ahead of Blackrock deo Ruby Hennessy and Tess O’Neill. O’Keeffe’s fourth gold came at 100m IM.

Henry Packham (10) led a local derby trio at 100m breaststroke. He improved by 10.07 seconds to win with 1:47.47 ahead of Charlie Barrett, SWSC on 1:55.72, an 11.50 second PB. 

Casper O’Leary, Blackrock completed the podium on 1:57.25 after improving by 4.62 seconds. Barrett claimed the top spot at 100m freestyle, with Ewan O’Connor, Blackrock in 2nd and Packman in 3rd. 

The same trio, in the same finish order, claimed the podium places at 100m IM. Barrett picked up a third gold at 50m freestyle.

John Dunne (12) Fermoy saved his best performance to the final event of the day when a 6.09 second PB yielded victory at 100m IM. 

Earlier in the afternoon he placed 2nd at 100m backstroke behind clubmate Daniel McCarthy and ahead of Blackrock’s Sam Brogan-O’Farrell. Dunne narrowly missed a second gold when he touched on 51.69 at 50m breaststroke, losing out to Liam O’Mahony, Killarney on 51.47. 

McCarthy doubled up with a second gold at 50m backstroke. He was ed on that podium by clubmate James Hanrahan. Hanrahan collected a set of medals when he added gold at 100m freestyle and silver at 100m breaststroke.

Rory McCarthy (14) was a triple gold medallist for Fermoy claiming the titles at 100m breaststroke, 100m backstroke and 100m IM. 

Another triple gold medallist for the club was Eoghan Murphy (14). His victories came at 50m backstroke, 50m butterfly and 100m freestyle.

SHINING

Finn O’Dowd at just nine years of age was a star for SWSC with four victories from four events. 

His medals were won in 50m butterfly, 50m breaststroke, 50m freestyle and 100m IM. 

His older brother Tadhg, won 100m IM. He placed second at 100m breaststroke & 100m backstroke and placed 3rd at 200m freestyle. Diarmuid Gillard (9) was the gold medallist at 50m backstroke. 

He collected two silver medals at 50m breaststroke & 100m IM and placed 3rd at 50m freestyle. Eve Courtney (10) won the 100m backstroke and had two second-place finishes at 100m freestyle &

100m IM and completed her day with a bronze medal in 50m freestyle. Helen Quinn collected double gold at 50m butterfly and 50m breaststroke.

Gabriel Krysta, Lexie O’Keeffe, Pana Sipos, Cillian Turner, Frederic Tuytten, Martha & Robyn Walsh were all multi-gold medallists for the Streamline Club in Cobh.