Best swimmer accolades for Ennis duo

FIFTEEN swimmers from the Ennis Swimming and Lifesaving Club recently competed at the Irish Age Groups Division 2 competition, which was held at the University of Limerick Sports Arena. 
It was the swimming of Ciara Ryan and Patrick Hogan that will be remembered as the highlight of this competition. Ciara, swimming in the girls’ 15 age group, qualified in five events and came away with five medals while Patrick, swimming in the boys’ 16 age group, qualified for six events and came away with six medals. For their efforts, both were awarded with a trophy representing the best female and best male swimmer in their respective age groups. The medal winners were: Girls’ 11-12: Róisín Cahill- silver medal in the 800m freestyle and a bronze medal in the 200m freestyle. Girls’ 15 age group: Ciara Ryan – three gold medals in the 200m freestyle, 200m backstroke and the 200m individual medley. One silver medal in the 100m backstroke and a bronze in the 100m freestyle. Katie Shannon – gold medal in the 400m freestyle and a silver in the 200m freestyle.
Boys’ 14 age group: Ryan Shannon – one gold medal in the 200m freestyle and two bronze medals in 100m butterfly and the 200m individual medley.
Boys’ 15 age group: Michael McGlynn – two silver medals in the 100m and 200m freestyle and a bronze medal in the 200m breaststroke.
Boys’ 16 age group:  Patrick Hogan – four gold medals in the 200m and 400m freestyle, the 200m and 400m individual medley. Two silver medals in the 100m freestyle and the 100m breaststroke. Niall Broderick – silver medal in the 200m freestyle and a bronze medal in the 100m backstroke. Donough Cronin – a gold medal in the 100m butterfly and a silver medal in the 200m individual medley.
Boys’ 17-24 age group:  Donnchadh O’Sullivan – gold in the 100m breaststroke, silver in the 200m breaststroke and a bronze medal in the 200m individual medley. Declan Bredin – gold medal in the 200m backstroke.
Based on the times obtained in this competition, Róisín Cahill and Ryan Shannon qualified for Division 1 Championships and Ciara Ryan, Niall Broderick and Patrick Hogan qualified for the National Youths Championships, both of which take place later this month at the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin.
Other swimmers who participated were Fergal Breen, Harry Broderick Aoife Deane, Eimear McGrath and Sadbh O’Brien.