Cork swimmers start season with a splash at Gerry Ryan Memorial Meet

The Gerry Ryan Memorial Meet marked the first long course event of the season. 

It attracted a large entry from clubs across Munster, Connacht, and some Leinster clubs. The meet served as a thrilling curtain-raiser for the long course season, offering a glimpse of the bright future for swimming in Cork and beyond.

One of the standout stories of the meet was the incredible performance of Cork’s 12-year-old girls, who dominated across numerous events. Philippa Costello, Dolphin led the charge, delivering a series of exceptional swims. ing her on the podium in various events were Blackrock teammates Una Casey and Alexandra Egar. 

On the boys' side, 12-year-old Cillian Turner from Streamline, Cobh, was unstoppable. Turner achieved a remarkable feat, winning all eight of his events, an accomplishment that left spectators in awe. The dominance of all four highlighted their depth of talent and underlined their status as ones to watch in the years ahead.

Costello returned with five victories, 100m & 200m butterfly, 200m breaststroke, 200m IM and 100m backstroke. She placed 2nd to Una Casey at 100m breaststroke and 200m freestyle. Casey also won the 50m freestyle and butterfly. Casey place 2nd to Costello at 100m butterfly, 100m backstroke and 200m IM. She also claimed silver at 50m backstroke. Egar placed 3rd behind the girls in six events but kept her best until the final two events of the meet when she proudly topped the podium at 100m freestyle and 200m backstroke. 

All three girls posted significant personal best performances (PB) in all of their events, most notably at 200m IM. Costello improved by 8.41 seconds to win 2:50.02, Casey by 5.30 seconds to place 2nd 2:53.12 and Egar by 7.45 seconds to complete the podium 2:57.99.

Turner was in exceptional form and produced PB swims in all eight of his events. His most noticeable improvements came at 200m freestyle, PB 9.70 seconds; 200m IM, PB 7.23 seconds; 100m backstroke, PB 3.61 seconds and 100m freestyle, PB 3.32 seconds. An improvement of 1.62 seconds at 50m freestyle left him within touching distance of breaking the 30-second barrier at 50m freestyle, 30.75.

Other 12-year-olds to shine at the meet included Frederic Tuytten, Streamline with bronze at 50m butterfly. Iris McCarthy and Tadgh O’Dowd of SWSC with gold at 50m breaststroke and bronze at 100m breaststroke, respectively.

Phelim Hanley, Blackrock, claimed four victories from five events in the 15-16 age group. They came at 100m & 200m butterfly, 200m freestyle and 200m IM. He also placed 2nd at 100m freestyle.

Tadgh O’Brien, Dolphin was another in excellent form. Swimming in the 15-16 age group, O’Brien claimed victory at 800m, 400m, 100m and 50m freestyle. He also claimed double gold at 100m & 50m backstroke. In addition, he placed 2nd at 400m IM and 100m butterfly.

Another star performer for Dolphin was Lexi Dunne (15-16). Dunne had five victories from eight events. 

They came at 200m, 100m & 50m freestyle, 200m IM and 100m backstroke. She also placed second at 100m & 200m breaststroke and at 100m butterfly. Her younger brother Seb (13-14) won gold at 50m backstroke and placed third at 50m butterfly.

Lev Lobanets (13-14) Dolphin was victorious at 50m & 100m in both the backstroke and freestyle events. He had to settle for silver at 400m & 200m freestyle. He also collected silver at 200m IM & 200m backstroke.

IMPRESSIVE

Sonny Barrett (13-14) SWSC was impressive in the distance events. He swam a 5.30 second PB to claim victory at 800m freestyle. He picked up silver at the longer 1,500m distance. Isabel Kidney (17&0) won gold at 200m IM & 50m breaststroke and was the silver medallist at 50m freestyle. Garvan Gillard (15-16) won silver at 200m IM & 50m backstroke and double bronze at 50m & 100m backstroke.

Siun Herlihy, Maeve O’Reilly, Fionn O’Brien and Daisy O’Toole were medallists for Mallow. Conor Holland (13-14) won 100m butterfly and claimed bronze at the 200m distance for Fermoy.

Dolphin performed well at the relay events, winning gold at the 400m & 200m Mixed Medley and placed 2nd at 200m Mixed Freestyle. This coupled with the individual performances across the team ensured that the club retained the Gerry Ryan Memorial Trophy.