AQUA SERIES – SLIABH BEAGH Vs DUNGANNON
Saturday 6th April saw Sliabh Beagh ASC tackle their first swimming event in Division 3, a position they have trained hard to attain and looking at the results of this race they are well deserving of. The first Aqua Sprint event of the 2024 series was held in Dungannon Leisure Centre against Dungannon Swimming Club.
The Sliabh Beagh team was represented by 46 swimmers in 4 different age groups ranging from U10 – U13; with the final team selection being based on the results from the clubs time trial and dual meet which were held in March.
Sliabh Beagh’s first outing in division 3 proved to be much of an unknown due to 40% of the selected team having never competed in an Aqua Series before. There was alot of first time nerves and butterflies in the air as the team took their place on the bus to begin their journey for their first meet of the series.
Group A Girls were sublime with Cora McArdle and Sophie McMullen finishing 1st or 2nd with maximum points on the 25 backstroke, fly and freestyle. The girls were well supported by Sienna Ronaghan, Lucy Mullan and Katie Farrell through the four individual events.
Group A Boys saw Evin Casey race to 1st place in four out of four races in the individual events with Killian McKenna, Lukas Jarusas, Thomas Deery, Thomas Carragher and Lukas Coyle also swimming strongly in their races.
The 4 x 25 mixed medley and freestyle relays in these groups saw Evin Casey, Sophie McMullen, Cora McArdle and Lukas Coyle winning both events and securing maximum points, getting Sliabh Beagh off to a superb start.
Group B Girls were in terrific form with Hannah McKenna and Lexi Ronaghan placing 1st and 2nd in three out of the four individual events. This group saw three of our Aqua Series debutantes; Alice McGuinness, Ciara Gillanders and Saoirse NiRaifeartaigh, having brilliant first time race performances on the day.
Group B Boys had outstanding performances, which saw Jacob McCabe and Rian Lynch blazing to top points with 1st and 2nd finishes in three out of the four individual events. We also got to see tremendous swims by Drew Mulligan, Nathan McQuillan, Turlough Hearty and Mark McEntee in their respective events.
In the 4 x 25 mixed medley and freestyle relays in this age group we saw, Rian Lynch, Lexi Ronaghan, Jacob McCabe and Hannah McKenna all excelling, winning both relays, gaining top points and helping Sliabh Beagh continue their magnificent start to the dual meet.
Group C Girls had a great battle on their hands with the Dungannon opposition proving to be strong competition, we saw some very fast finishes with Sophia Vergnano splendid in her four 1st place finishes and Aoife Mullan getting her hand on the wall for invaluable 2nd place finishes. Adelle Fitzpatrick and Gracie May Davies put in great shifts on the day with their individual swims.
Group C Boys had some swimmer absences on the day, which led the way for Hugh Connolly to show his wonderful leadership qualities by stepping up an age group to swim up from Group B to Group C, this gave great support to both that age group and the teams quest for important individual and relay points. Hugh along with Eli Mohan and James Corrigan didn’t disappoint with some great scoring points in backstroke, breaststroke and freestyle.
The 4 x 25 mixed medley and freestyle relays in this age category saw, Hugh Connolly, James Corrigan, Aoife Mullan and Sophia Vergnano swim in red hot form, winning both events putting Sliabh Beagh in a commanding position as we entered into the last age groups on the day.
Group D Girls were met with a fierce competition for points, with Clodagh McCabe and Eabha McMullen up against some tough Dungannon opposition. The girls swam hard and shared the top points spoils in backstroke and butterfly with Clodagh Connolly, Saoirse McMahon and Maliosa McManus posting encouraging results in their individual races.
Group D Boys saw Owen Fitzpatrick and Egan Hearty in impressive form, dominating their age group with top two finishes and maximum points across the four events, Daithi Lynch and Colm Duffy posted some cracking individual swims and gave Sliabh Beagh a huge point boost towards the end of the meet when we needed it the most.
Egan Hearty, Owen Fitzpatrick, Clodagh McCabe and Eabha McMullen pulled together for the 4 x 25 mixed medley and freestyle relays, they didn’t have it all their own way on the day however placing 2nd in the mixed medley; they pulled it back strongly and did the business in the freestyle with an exciting finish for 1st place.
Sliabh Beagh Captains on the day were Clodagh McCabe and Owen Fitzpatrick who showed great humility and grace, thanking both the host team Dungannon and the travelling team Sliabh Beagh for all their swimming endeavours and support on the day.
