Sliabh Beagh “Pick of the Bunch” in Tulip Land

13 gold medals, 8 Silver, 14 Bronze:

Sliabh Beagh compete against 9 countries represented by 52 clubs

This year the club decided to try out our skills at the Netherlands Invitational in Eindhoven. The gala was held in the ultra modern, high tech centre of Dutch swimming /waterpolo/ synchronised swimming /diving excellence. The centre is named after Pieter Van den Hoogenband, a former multiple World and Olympic medalist and record holder in 50m / 100m & 200m freestyle events. We went in hope that we would be in contention for a few medal places, based on the psyche sheet issued the week before we travelled.

It was at this stage we got a feel for the size of the competition, the club’s attending and the countries represented. This small club from Monaghan was going to put our skills, fitness, determination, toughness and organisation up against 720 swimmers from clubs from Holland, Belgium, Germany, France, Indonesia, Bala, South Africa, UK and USA.

The club season commenced in Mid September 2016. We eased in gradually to accommodate school, building fitness, adjusting lane organisation until late October.

We had 3 goals this season. Get qualifying times early. Be very competitive in Ulster Age Group Championships and be ready to perform in Eindhoven, the Division 2 Age Groups (same weekend), and the summer championships in Dublin in July. So far we have hit those targets. So well done to all who are managing, coaching and performing.

Eindhoven was a success. The planning, preparation and organisation, to put people on the plane seats to standing on the podium or achieving new PB’s was exemplary. The hotel, Best Western Eindhoven was ideally located for getting to the competition venue or to go into Centrum Eindhoven. The staff and the food were great and contributed hugely to the atmosphere.

So to the pool. We had a warm up session on Friday at the centre. We got to use the Dutch High Performance pool (a 50m 4 lane, high tech facility), adjacent to the main competition pool. We used this session to loosen out, get a bit of refresh practice on starts, turns and fast swimming; getting the body and mind in sync the day before we got into competition.

On Saturday we got to the venue, did our warm up, participated in the Opening Parade and went into race mode.

All our swimmers were asked to perform in the pre gala talk. This they did big time. Swims produced PB”s, good skill execution, improved starts, great turns, very effective breakouts and a very evident determination to deliver. Everyone did. Not just once but repeatedly both on Saturday and Sunday. Indeed the Sunday performance possibly outdid the Saturday show.

All 23 swimmers put in a fantastic performance, not all made the podium but for those who didn’t personal best times were achieves and many finished in the top ten in their race.

Well done to Ellen Mc Geough, James Campbell, Danny Madden, Matthew Skeath, Hannah Skeath, Emer Sheridan, Emily Madden, Cillian Mc Gahon, Hannah Sheridan, Susie O Flaherty, Faolan Campbell, Sheenagh Mc Kenna and Peter O Hara.

The medal tally and individual results will be detailed below. The gala was very useful from a number of aspects for the club coaches and supporting trip managers and travelling parents. While not everyone picked up a medal, those that did not, showed they were coming into that zone soon. Others had a chance to find the form they were struggling with for the last few months. This they did. So for the season that commences in September focusing on the skill aspects a little more and working a little harder and consistently are key.

To be fair to all, some had an injury interrupted season, which is hard to manage and to keep going is a big challenge and is a real test of character. It is easier to keep working when being successful, it is a lot harder when things are not going well. So we must acknowledge those who worked through, exam stress, sickness, injury, health challenges and lapses in confidence.

Results:

Alannah Mc Gahon: 5 Gold Medals in 50M and 100M Freestyle ,50 and 100M Backstroke and 100 IM. Silver in 50M Fly.
Colin Gorman: Gold in 100M Breaststroke and 50M Butterfly. Silver in 100M Butterfly and 50M Freestyle. Bronze in 200 Freestyle,100 Free and 50 Breaststroke.
John Donnolly: Silver in the 200, 100 and 50 Breaststroke. Bronze in 100 Freestyle and 200 IM.
Shauna Mc Gahon: Gold in 100M Fly. Bronze in 200 IM and 50 Fly.
Allison Gorman: Gold in 100M Fly and 50 Fly.
Claragh Mc Gahon : Gold in 200M Backstroke and 50 Backstroke. Silver in 100 Backstroke, Bronze in 200 breaststroke, 200 IM, 100 Fly and 100 freestyle.
Ciaran Deasy: Gold in 50M Backstroke, Bronze in 100 Backstroke.
Katie Bowden: Bronze in 200M Freestyle.
Jamie Sheridan: Bronze in 50 Backstroke
Leon Campbell: Silver in 200 IM.