Wednesday, July 19, 2006

Irish Youth Long Course Championships 2006


Shane Traill, Conor Leaney, Andy Hunter (coach), Gavin Williamson & Matthew Harkness
Ulster Junior Record & Irish Junior Standard
holders of the
4 x 50m FTR (LC) and 4 x 50m MTR (LC)

Success was in the air again for Larne Swimming Club last weekend when ten of its swimmers took to the pool at the Irish Long Course Youth Championships (Division 1) at the University of Limerick.

Larne’s swimmers, Gavin Williamson (16), Matthew Harkness (13), Shane Traill (16) and Conor Leaney (15) under the guidance of coach Andy Hunter, pulled out all the stops and took gold in both the 4 x 50m Freestyle Team Relay and 4 x 50m Medley Team Relay setting new Ulster Junior Records and Irish Junior Standards (subject to ratification) on the way. But the success didn’t stop there and the boys regularly found them selves in the finals and on the podium.

Ballynure lad, Conor Leaney had a fabulous week end of swimming, he recorded a personal best time in the 200m Freestyle, took first place in his 3 individual events and renewed his place on the Irish 2012 squad on the way.

Team mate Gavin Williamson from Ballyclare ended the season on a high. Together with his two gold medals in the relays, Gavin recorded personal best times in all of the races he swam, he competed in all of the finals for which he received certificates, achieved his Ulster Squad qualification time and renewed his National Squad standard.

Matthew Harkness may be young but he proved to the older and more experienced swimmers that he has a bright future in swimming. He swam 3 personal best times, was a finalist in the 400m Freestyle and 100m ‘Fly, took 3rd in the 100m Freestyle, 4th in the 200m Freestyle and achieved his National Squad standard in both events.

Shane Traill flew home from school in England to compete for Larne. He had a fantastic weekend of swims, achieved two personal best times and took 2nd place in the 100m Freestyle.

Eleven year old Mark Wylie’s talent was evident in the 100m & 200m Breast stroke when he left the other swimmers in his wake taking 1st position in each. His elder sister Laura unfortunately had to retire from the competition after two races due to injury but offered great support to her team mates over the week end.

Eimear Black was in flying form when she hit the water. She recorded 3 personal best times and was a finalist in the 100m & 200m Back crawl and the 400m Individual Medley.

Younger swimmers Sarah Moore, Devon Rainey and Gary Andrews swam personal best times in all of their races with Sarah reaching the final in the 100m ‘Fly.

Overall this was a very successful week end for the club and proved once more that Larne Swimming Club is ranked as one of the top clubs in Ireland.