THE Irish Age Group Division 2 swimming championships were held recently at the University of Limerick Sports Arena.  Twenty-four swimmers from the Ennis Swimming and Lifesaving Club participated in the three-day event. The swimmers came home with 17 individual medals (three gold, seven silver and seven bronze) and eight relay medals (seven gold and one silver). 
The boys’ 17 to 24 age group saw Declan Bredin leading the club in the medal count by winning four medals.  His first silver medal came in the 400m freestyle which he finished in a time of 4.43:03. He put in a strong performance in the 200m backstroke winning another silver medal in a time of 2.28:61. His third silver medal in the 100m freestyle was in a personal best time of 1.00:89. Declan also won a bronze medal in the 200m individual medley. 
Mark Eisenberg set a three-second pb of 2.15:15 in winning the silver medal in the 200m freestyle. He added to this two bronze medals in the 100m freestyle and the 100m butterfly. Caimin Jacob set two pbs in the 100m freestyle and the 100m butterfly.
In the boys’ 15 to 16 age group, Donnchadh O’Sullivan swam well and won gold medals in the 100m and 200m breaststroke. Patrick Hogan set a 12-second pb in his 400m freestyle race and secured the bronze medal. He also set pbs in his 100m and 200m freestyle, the 200m individual medley and the 100m breaststroke. 
Charlie Whyatt broke the one-minute barrier in his preliminary heat of the 100m freestyle and qualified first in a time of 59.64.  However, in the final, he was unable to duplicate that and had to settle for the bronze medal finishing in a time of 1.00:88. He also established pbs in his 200m individual medley and the 100m breaststroke. 
Oliver Welaratne swam an exceptional 200m backstroke and established a 12-second pb on his way to winning a bronze medal. Oliver also set pbs in his 100m and 200m freestyle and the 200m individual medley events. Donough Cronin, Peter Lawler, Niall Broderick, Ultan O’Brien, Eoin Gleeson and Darragh Glavin all accomplished pbs in their races.
In the boys’ 13 to 14 age group, Fergal Breen put in a strong swim in his 100m breaststroke finishing in 1.28:68.
In the girls’ 17 to 24 age group, Laura Bergin won the gold medal in the 200m backstroke in a time of 2.46:20. She also made the finals of the 100m freestyle and the 100 backstroke. Caoimhe Gowran won two silver medals in her 200m freestyle and 400m freestyle events. She also set pbs in all her races. Louise O’Donovan set a personal best and qualified fourth in the preliminary heat of the 100m freestyle. In the final, she put in valiant effort and finished in fifth place.
In the girls’ 15 to 16 age group, Sarah Broderick won a silver medal in the 400m freestyle. She added a bronze medal in the 200m freestyle while also setting a new pb of 2.27:08. Emma Casey achieved two pbs in her 100m and 200m freestyle.
In the girls’ 13 to 14 age group, Maebh Jacob, Ciara Ryan and Katie Shannon all established pbs in their events.
In the girls’ 11 to 12 age group, Eimear McGrath established pbs in her 100m backstroke and 200m freestyle events while teammate Róisín Cahill established a pb in her 200m freestyle event.

McGrath makes Irish team

JOHNATHAN McGrath from Killaloe has been included in the Paralympic Council of Ireland’s team for the 2010 IPC World Swimming Championships. Eight Irish swimmers will represent Ireland at the championships, to be held in Eindhoven, Holland from August 15 to 25. McGrath will compete in the S8 Class – 400m Freestyle.
The team will be led by head of Paralympic Swimming, Dave Malone. Paralympic Council of Ireland CEO, Liam Harbison, said, “The world championships is another milestone for our swimmers on the road to London 2012. After their success last year in the European Championships, we are very hopeful they will build on this success and we wish them every success.”
Ennis-based Fintan O’Donnell will be the team physiotherapist.