AQUASPRINTS OFF TO A GREAT START
WITH WINNING SMILES
FOREST FEAST AQUASPRINT JUNIOR SWIMMING LEAGUE
There was great excitement at Monaghan Coral Leisure Complex last Saturday, 24th November 2012 when Sliabh Beagh’s youngest members competed in the Forest Feast Junior Aquasprint League. This was our first opportunity to compete at Division C after being promoted from Division D last year. This was always going to be a tough competition against Breffni Swimming Club, Cavan but this brought out the best in our swimmers with Sliabh Beagh being victorious on the night winning by 210 pts to 190 pts.
We would like to thank all parents who helped out on the night – timekeepers, team co-ordinators, touch judges and recorders on the table which resulted in the smooth running of the gala. A special thanks also to the team coaches Dana and Linda who have worked hard to bring our swimmers to this level. We look forward to our next Aquasprint Gala which will be an away gala on Saturday 2nd February 2013 against Lecale Swimming Club.
Ulster Schools Championships
Twelve Club swimmers took part in this gala in Ballymena last Saturday. The best of Ulster club swimmers were in attendance. While our swimmers did not take home any medals they did take home many Personal Best times and a top club coach remarked to the Club Coach on Sunday that they were very impressed with the performance and progress of our swimmers at this and last week’s Halloween gala. Of the boys Personal best times were returned by Jamie Sheridan, Nathan Shields Orin McGee, Louis Madden, Luke Brennan and Caolan McGee, who was the closest to a final place, missing by .02 of a second. Also present were Ciaran Hennessy and Ciaran O’Mordha. Both boys swam fast but were disappointed generally with their times. This will be repaired at the Ulster Short Course Championship in Mid December. Among the girls Eimear McKenna, Alexandra Germain, Kate Madden, Emily Madden and Anna McCrarren returned Personal best times or were very close to their existing times. Unquestionably experience is a big issue at this level of competition and on this occasion the boys had the experience from last summer and also from last week where they learned a few harsh lessons, but put them right last Saturday. So exposure to pressure and having a desire to deliver is critical.
Training Schedule Change:
The December Training schedule for Intermediate and Senior Squads will undergo some change from Monday the 3 December 2012, as the pool is introducing new opening and closing hours. Our revised schedule will be issued to all in the next few days.