Jessica Purcell of Aer Lingus Swim Club and Paul Mulvehill of Aer Lingus Masters Swim Club have won today’s races at the 104th Dublin City Liffey Swim, as 272 swimmers completed the historic swim hosted by Swim Ireland and Dublin City Council.
For over a century, the Dublin City Liffey Swim has been the pinnacle of the open sea season. Today’s race provided an unforgettable experience for competitors with spectators lined all along the river in stunning sunshine.
Lord Mayor of Dublin James Geoghegan was on hand to open the races ably assisted by Irish swimming Olympians Erin Riordan and Shane Ryan, starting at Rory O’More Bridge near Guinness Brewery gate. The swimmers then travelled up the Liffey passing under eleven bridges finishing at North Wall Quay before The Custom House.
Purcell was the first woman home in an incredible win. The 16-year-old was the scratch swimmer, the last to start her race in the handicap system used for the race, starting 17 minutes 15 seconds after the first swimmer to go. Purcell tore through the Liffey in a winning time of 30.39, the first scratch winner in ten years. The Aer Lingus swimmer also won the fastest time prize and under eighteen prize.
Purcell was followed home by her team-mate and friend Sarah Coughlan in 35.14 and Half Moon’s Brona Dunne on 37.25.
A delighted Purcell said, “Amazing, I was going ok at the start, and I felt a bit lonely as no one was around me, under the bridges I just closed my eyes and tried not to look, I didn’t want to look at all because it was pitch black and I thought I’d see some rats! And then I started to catch up with people, my arms were aching, my legs were so sore, but I kept going and came first.”
NAC Masters won the ladies team prize.
In the Men’s race Paul Mulvehill won in 33 minutes 43 seconds. The Aer Lingus Masters swimmer started on 4 minutes 15 seconds and moved through the field in front of him, taking the lead at the Rosie Hackett Bridge which he never relinquished.
Mulvehill spoke after the race, “I just can’t believe it to be honest, I thought there was a few people in front of me still, I can’t believe it. Great, delighted. The first half I was kind of finding my way through it and then I don’t know I was eating up a few alright and then there was fewer and fewer swimmers in front of me and I just tried to go as hard as I could for the last quarter. Going through the line I was looking around going there must be somebody else, but there wasn’t so, I can’t believe it, honest to God, I’m shocked.”
Templeogue’s Neil Bolger won the fastest time prize in 26 minutes and 8 seconds, North Dublin’s Luca Rohan won the U18 prize in 37.58 while Aer Lingus Masters won the Men’s team prize.
Swim Ireland CEO Sarah Keane, who took part in the race herself, spoke afterwards, “What a wonderful day to bring our community together. We could not have delivered today’s race without the amazing support of our volunteers and partners, it was a real team effort. Congratulations to Jessica and Paul and all those who competed, we look forward to seeing everyone again next year.”
