Seven Clare junior lifesavers on Irish team

LAST Sunday was the culmination of months training for members of the Junior Irish National Surf Lifesaving Squad as they competed in trials for a place on the Irish team.
Pool events were held at UL pool and open water/beach events took place at Whitestrand Beach. Thirty-seven young people between the ages of 14 and 18 vied for 10 places (five male, five female) on the Irish national junior team. The counties participating were Clare, Donegal, Wicklow, Galway and Waterford.
The sport of life-saving is quite distinct in that the disciplines in which people compete are directly related to elements of lifeguarding. The pool events are 100m rescue medley, 100 manikin tow with fins, 100m manikin carry with fins and 50m manikin carry. The beach events are board race, run-swim-run, swim sprint and beach flags.
The competitors gain points from their placings in the events. Points are also awarded for attendance and participation at training camps during the year.
Clare competitors did very well and seven have made it on to the Irish team, which is listed below.
Boys: Bernard Cahill, Dylan Barrett, Conor Rooney, Declan Bredin and Eoin Trihy.
Girls: Siobhán McGrath, Caoimhe Gowran, Luíse O’Donovan, Gemma Haughey and Aimee Walsh.
The team will continue training under Clare coach Oisín McGrath in preparation for competition at the European Junior Championships, which will be held in Antwerp, Belgium, from September 2 to 4.