The Munster Long Course Championship was held in UL last weekend (22nd & 23rd March) and we had 20 swimmers from our club competing in a variety of events from the 400m free to the 200m IM and 50m free.
Day One
The first race in our program was the Girls 400m free and with one swimmer racing it was an easy start. Olwyn Dunne swam a superb race with a 13 sec personal best (PB) and just outside Division 1 time. This race gives her great confidence for her next big race which would be the 200 free. Next up was the 100 fly this time it was Sinead Dwyer’s turn. With 34 sec for the first 50 she was moving in the right direction but tied up with 10m to go - a very impressive swim all in all. The main event in most races in swimming is the men’s 50m free. This time we had 3 swimmers – Mathew Hogan, Thomas Adams and Shane Cody. This was over in less the 30 sec and with Shane making a final - show’s how hard work training in the right environment will improve anyone. In the final, Shane came second with a PB of 25.26 so one medal in the bag.
The women were up next (50m free) and this is Isabel Dunne and Sinead’s race as the female sprinters of the club and with the talent on the day we were a bit off of making the final so next year we will move a step closer.
Mark Ryan was our only entry in the 200m backcrawl and a race I’ve only done once. I was very impressed in Mark holding a good stroke rate throughout the race which is something we have been working on over the last few months.
In the 200m IM the girls came to the front with 6 swimmers competing and only 1 of the boys. Our best swimmer in this was Emily Ryan who qualified for Division 2 in the event.
In the 50m backcrawl, Isabel was the only starter and made a final which was a great achievement, and with a girl from Cork who was also named Isabel, it certainly caused a bit of confusion among the coaches.
The 100m breast was up next and looking at our swimmers who for some unknown reason have all changed their stroke to praying instead of swimming. As you can gather the crack was mighty afterwards.
The last race of day one was the 100m free and 9 swimmers qualified in this, Thomas is still looking for that elusive sub 60 and with training starting to go back in the right direction maybe today was going to be the day. In a heat with some sub 60 swimmers things were looking good - at the first 50 he turned at 28 which was going to let him with a 4 sec fall off. With 10m to go everything was still looking good but like so many races the last 10m can be the hardest – unfortunately he ended up just outside the 60. Shane swim a handy 57 to get him into the final which was down to the wire - the winning time was 55.06, second was 55.12, while Shane finished 3rd with 55.26
The women race was a different affair were all the girls put on a good shown but when the fastest swimmer in the women race was as fast as the finalist in the men’s race there is a lot of improvement to come our way
Day Two
Today was an easier affair with the main race the 200m Free. Olwyn was looking for her Division 1 time and she was looking for a 6 sec PB from 2.31 to 2.25.6. I could feel the nerves around her and I can tell you it was the gutsiest performance I have ever seen in my life but to come out less than 1 sec off the qualifying time was heart breaking. For people who say swimming is an individual sport, they should have been at this race - seeing all her team mate roar and shout and seeing their hearts break when she missed out, this is what our club has become in the 3 years since I started- we really are a TEAM, not just a club.
The men’s 200m had Shane Cody’s swimming again and a good battle it was. Unfortunately Shane was in the second last heat and missed out in the top swimmers heat but coming in 3rd in a race that he wouldn’t swim in only a year ago shows now mature he’s become since he moved to the HPC in UL, and has shown other swimmers in our small club that with hard work, dedication and drive, anyone can get there.
Also in the 200m Free Emily Ryan, who beforehand when I told her she would do a 13 sec PB and she laughed at me, swam a great race and did her 13 sec PB.
The other races of the day were the 50m Fly and the 100m Back. Isabel got 1st reserve in the 50m Fly and got called up - she put on a great show but missed out on the touch and finished 9th.
The Coaches Report
This being only our 3rd MLC, we have came a long way; we now have our own spot in the pool (the squad know what I mean) and the TEAM are a well knitted group supporting and helping each other. It was so much easier this weekend with 20 swimmers then it was the first year with one. Even if Ellie Molamphy did soak me and had a 400m Fly on Monday it was a great weekend - all swimmers have again done the club proud. Well done all and thanks to the parents who help out, to Uta who was lead coach and to Munster swimming for holding yet another great event.
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