Swim Ireland athletes Roisin Ní Riain (para swimming), Ellen Walshe (swimming) and Daniel Wiffen (swimming) have been named as Athletes of the Year at the 2025 Swim Ireland Awards which took place this evening (Saturday) at the Crowne Plaza, Blanchardstown.
Ellen Walshe won the Female Performance Athlete of the Year Award for her outstanding season where she set fifteen new Irish Records and made Finals in five events at the World Aquatics Championships (25m) and two finals at the World Aquatics Championships (50m).
Róisín Ní Riain won the Para Swimmer of the Year Award for her success at the World Para Swimming Championships in September where she won five medals including three silver and two bronze.
Daniel Wiffen won the Male Performance Athlete of the Year Award. Wiffen was Ireland’s highest ranked male at the World Aquatics Championships (50m) where he placed eighth in the 800m Freestyle.
County Down’s Bangor SC received the Club of the Year Award after being selected from a shortlist of three which also included Mallow Swans SC (Cork) and New Ross SC (Wexford).
The Water Polo Player of the Year awards went to Fionn Byrne of St. Vincents and Laura Casserly of Tribes Water Polo Club. While both are junior players, they were instrumental in their clubs senior teams this year as well as being part of Ireland’s U18 European Championships teams.
European Junior bronze medallist Grace Davison was honoured with the Female Performance Pathway Athlete of the Year for swimming and after a fantastic season won two European Junior medals. Dearbhaile Brady won the Female Performance Pathway Award for Para Swimming having won silver and bronze at the World Para Swimming Championships.
National Centre Limerick’s John Shortt won the Male Performance Pathway Athlete of the Year Award after becoming Ireland’s first ever male World Junior Champion, winning gold in the 100m and 200m Backstroke and bronze in the 50m Backstroke. He also won European Junior gold and silver.
National Centre Limerick Coach John Szaranek and Head Coach of Templeogue Swim Team Brian Sweeney won the Performance Pathway Coach and Performance Coach of the Year awards respectively. Szaranek for his work with medallists John Shortt and Ellie McCartney and Sweeney for his work with Ellen Walshe.
Discipline awards were made to Barry Murphy (Masters), John Cunningham (Masters), Brianna Jackson (Open Water) and Matthew Hammond (Disability), while Sundays Well Swimming Club’s Mary Haughney was awarded Official of the Year and New Ross’ Fran Ronan Club Coach of the Year.
Four volunteers were honoured for their work within their clubs and regions, Alan Ryan (Leinster), Eamonn Horgan (Munster), Teresa Moran (Connacht) and Gillian Simpson (Ulster).
Three individuals received Outstanding Contribution to Aquatics Awards, Declan Harte (Masters and Open Water), Fiona Burke (Swimming), and Gary Stoops (Swimming/Officiating) where honoured for their contributions to their respective disciplines.
Swim Ireland President Frank Breslin dedicated his President’s award to Connacht’s Christine Watterson, for her outstanding contribution to the Connacht region over many years.
Speaking at the event Swim Ireland CEO Sarah Keane said ‘We are delighted to come together, to celebrate the success of our athletes and to honour those that have helped them to get to where they are. It was fantastic to see so many of our community present to celebrate another amazing year for Irish Aquatics.’
| Volunteer of the Year Award (Munster) | Eamonn Horgan |
| Volunteer of the Year Award (Leinster) | Alan Ryan |
| Volunteer of the Year Award (Connacht) | Teresa Moran |
| Volunteer of the Year Award (Ulster) | Gillian Simpson |
| Presidents Award | Christine Watterson |
| Club Coach of the Year | Fran Ronan |
| Masters Swimmer of the Year | Barry Murphy |
| Masters Swimmer of the Year | John Cunningham |
| Open Water Swimmer of the Year | Brianna Jackson |
| Disability Swimmer of the Year Award | Matthew Harwood |
| Official of the Year Award | Mary Haughney |
| Outstanding Contribution to Aquatics Award | Declan Harte |
| Outstanding Contribution to Aquatics Award | Fiona Burke |
| Outstanding Contribution to Swimming Award | Gary Stoops |
| Water Polo Player of the Year – Female | Laura Casserly |
| Water Polo Player of the Year – Male | Fionn Byrne |
| Performance Pathway Athlete of the Year – Male | John Shortt |
| Performance Pathway Athlete of the Year – Female | Grace Davison |
| Performance Pathway Athlete of the Year – Para Swimming | Dearbhaile Brady |
| Performance Pathway Coach of the Year Award | John Szaranek |
| Performance Coach of the Year Award | Brian Sweeney |
| Performance Para Swimmer of the Year Award | RóisÍn NÍ Riain |
| Performance Female Swimmer of the Year Award | Ellen Walshe |
| Performance Male Swimmer of the Year Award | Daniel Wiffen |
| 2025 Club of the Year Announced | Bangor ASC |
