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1125 swimmers from nearly 120 clubs took part in the 2023 Irish Youth and Senior Summer Championships in the National Aquatic Centre last week.
Maria Godden and Nathan Wiffen had the standout swims of the opening day with both securing consideration times for the World Aquatics Championships in Doha in February and the European Short Course Championships in December.
Maria Godden did not waste any time on the opening morning of the competition as she stormed through the Women’s 200 Backstroke Heat posting consideration times for both the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Doha and the 2023 European Short Course Championships in Bucharest. The National Centre Limerick swimmer clocked 2:12.19 in the morning heat returned this evening to win a national gold with 2:12.42. The silver was claimed by recent Irish European Junior swimmer, Cora Rooney of Enniskillen in 2:22.69, while bronze went to Shannon Byrne of Bangor in 2:23.54.
While Daniel Wiffen was lighting up the Fukuoka stage, his twin brother Nathan was doing the same in Dublin, in the Men’s 800 Freestyle. Wiffen went sub eight minutes, clocking 7:57.79 this afternoon, Wiffen is now only the second Irish man to break the eight minute mark behind Daniel, a time not only worthy of a national gold, but also a consideration time for the World Aquatics Championships in February and European Short Course Championships in December.
The crowd were treated to exciting relay races on the opening morning with Sundays Well Isabel Kidney, Ellen Lee, Beth Nolan and Sharon Semichiy (4:03.18) coming first in the Women’s 400 Freestyle Relay, the silver wasn’t going far as Beth Gardiner, Kelly-Ann Brown, Lizaveta Kotsikava and Ciara Williams of NAC Swim Club claimed it with a combined 4:05.51, finishing third with a combined 4:06.00 was Trojan’s Rebekah Friel, Alice Ledgerwood, Abril Allende and Sofia O’Neill.
A Limerick team of Conor Fitzgerald, Diarmuid Sutton, Eoin Corby and Finn McGeever clocked a combined 3:30.22 to finish first in the Men’s 400 Freestyle Relay. There was a battle for silver between two Dublin 15 clubs as NAC and Coolmine went head to head, Coolmine (Ali Ryan, Danny Morgan, Darragh Morgan, Killian O’Loughlin Brophy) edged it with 3:31.56, the NAC team of Matthew Walsh Hussey, Isaac Fitzmaurice, Oisin Tebite and Fionn Byrne touched in a combined 3:31.78.
The Men’s 400 Medley was next on the order of events where Jack Cassin of National Centre Limerick led the way from the get-go and remained in pole position for the duration of the race, clocking 4:23.60 to touch first. His nearest competitor was Adam Wilson of Banbridge who clocked 4:33.68 while Eoin Walsh of Swim Belfast claimed the national bronze in 5:04.81. Czech visitor, Danylo Chobanian won a commemorative medal with a time of 4:34.63.
With a change of events the Women’s 200 Freestyle was up next with a mere .05 between Mollie McAlorum of National Centre Ulster and Naomi Trait of UCD going into the last 50m, it would be the National Centre Ulster swimmer who touched first in 2:06.47, with Trait just .41 behind in second. Danielle Farrell of National Centre Limerick touched next in third place with 2:08.02.
Sticking with the 200 Freestyle, Longford’s Gerry Quinn led the way from the start and couldn’t be caught, clocking 1:51.90. Tokyo Olympian, Finn McGeever touched next in 1:53.94, while Jack Fleming of Lisburn came in at 1:54.91.
In the Women’s 100 Breaststroke there was a National Centre battle as Niamh Coyne of National Centre Dublin and Eimear Doyle of National Centre Limerick went stroke for stroke in the final. Coyne pipped the top spot in 1:09.77 with Doyle closely behind in 1:10.27, also closely behind was Olwyn Cooke of Limerick with 1:10.98.
Concluding the opening day, National Centre Limerick’s Eoin Corby and Uiseann Cooke of Tuam went stroke for stroke, the Limerick man was home first in 1:02.17 to take the national title, Cooke would settle for silver just .67 behind Corby. Morgan Berryman of Larne touched in third place to claim bronze in 1:03.91.
The Mixed 400 Medley Relay was the first opportunity for medals this morning. Naeve Pountney, Benji Cummings, Charlie Eatwell, and Olivia Miskelly of Ards finished first to claim gold in a time of 4:12.06, Larne (Louisa Humphries, Morgan Berryman, Éle Donegan, Thomas Leggett) clocked a combined 4:12.74 to finish second and in third was a New Ross team of Emmet Cousins, Eva Bayley and siblings, Evan Bailey and Leagh Bailey (4:14.81).
There was another opportunity for medals this afternoon as the gruelling Women’s 1500 Freestyle took place, with Ella Carroll of Limerick taking the gold home in a time of 17:51.32, Hazel Bentley of Glenalbyn claiming silver in 18:44.32 and Aimee Russell completing the podium with 19:35.10 for Ballymena.
In the Men’s 200 Backstroke National Centre Limerick’s Neddie Irwin took the top spot with a 2:06.13, next to touch was Jericho Balgos of Larne in 2:21.10 and third went to Andrew Harris of Ballymoney in 2:24.17. A commemorative medal went to Mehmet Zeren of Brompton Swimming Club (2:09.64)
It was a case of blink, and you miss it as we moved onto the Women’s 50 Freestyle, Grace Conroy of Lisburn was first home with a time of 26.89, Rosalie Phelan (26.99) of Cormorant touched next, just .10 behind Conroy to claim the national silver, Molly Nulty of Swilly Seals won bronze with 27.31.
The Men’s 50 Freestyle was next up, with the gold going to National Centre Dublin swimmer Calum Bain in a time of 22.44. Matthew Walsh Hussey, who will feature in the upcoming LEN u23 European Championships, claimed a national silver with a time of 23.81. The crowd were treated to the return of familiar name in Irish swimming, as London 2012 Olympian Barry Murphy made a return to the blocks. Donning a University of Tennessee swim cap, the 38-year-old touched the wall in 23.84 picking up a bronze medal. Two commemorative medals were awarded to Jason Mahmutoglu (23.63) and Ruairi McKinnon (23.70).
In the Women’s 100 Butterfly top of the podium was Sharon Semchiy of Sundays Well who clocked 1:03.62 to take the national gold. Hannah O’Shea of Dolphin was next to touch in a time of 1:04.99, in third was Grace Conroy of Lisburn in 1:05.87.
The Men’s 100 Butterfly was the penultimate event of the evening with Jack Cassin making another trip to the podium, this time in the 100 Butterfly clocking 54.11, joining him was Gerry Quinn of Longford with a time of 55.59, third place and bronze was claimed by another National Centre Limerick swimmer, Brogan McAviney in 55.72.
The last event of the night was the Women’s 200 Individual Medley, Danielle Farrell of National Centre Limerick went 2:26.16 to bag gold, Hannah McCabrey finished second in 2:26.46 and in third was Naomi Trait of UCD in 2:26.89.
The Men’s 800 Freestyle Relay closed out this morning’s session with Jack Fleming, Adam Colgan, Daniel Edgar and James Allison of Lisburn touching first with 7:50.68 and winning gold, New Ross clocked a combined 8:07.81 to take silver with bronze going to Limerick in a time of 8:09.31. Two commemorative medals were awarded to Coolmine and Hamilton respectively.
The Men’s 1500 Freestyle was the only medal opportunity in this afternoon’s session Nathan Wiffen returning to the blocks and clocking 15:21.11 to take home another national gold medal. Patrick Ferrie claimed the national silver with 17:27.26, bronze went to Cory Fines of Leander in 18:00.56 of Leander. Czech visitor, Danylo Chobanian was awarded a commemorative medal for his time of 16:14.62.
There was an electric start to this evening’s finals as the Men’s 50 Backstroke opened the night, Euan MacLeod of ESB went quickest with 26.20 to claim national gold, Senan Noonan of Aer Lingus was next to touch with 27.68 and Fionn Byrne (NAC) went 27.82 for the second time today to claim bronze. Jason Mahmutoglu (Chelsea Westminster) bagged a commemorative medal with 26.77.
Sticking with the Backstroke, the Girl’s 50 Backstroke took to the blocks next, National Centre Limerick swimmer Maria Godden, who recently posted a time2024 World Aquatics Championships in Doha and the 2023 European Short Course Championships, clocked 29.03 to take the national gold tonight. Cora Rooney of Enniskillen and Jena Macdougland of UCD both tied for silver with 29.57.
There was a change of events as the Men’s 100 Freestyle took to the NAC blocks next. Calum Bain claimed his second national gold of the competition with a time of 50.15, Gerry Quinn of Longford went 50.49 to take home silver while 19-year-old Thomas Leggett of Larne touched in 51.18 to claim bronze.
Moving on from the sprint events, the Women’s 400 Freestyle was next on the schedule, with Neasa Godden putting on a dominant display and clocking 4:16.25 on her way to gold. Her nearest competitor was National Centre Limerick teammate, Ella Carroll who came home in 4:32.84, there was a clean sweep for Munster as Hannah O’Shea of Dolphin bagged bronze with a 4:34.93.
The Men’s 200 Breaststroke was next on the agenda with another thrilling breaststroke battle tonight. Eoin Corby National Centre Limerick was first to touch in 2:12.89, Uiseann Cooke of Tuam finished second with 2:14.64, third went to National Centre Limerick’s Andrew Feenan with a 2:15.69.
The final event of the evening was the Women’s 200 Breaststroke which saw Niamh Coyne put on a dominant display in her home pool with a time of 2:30.60, next to touch was Olwyn Cooke of Limerick in a time of 2:33.06 while Molly Mayne from Templeogue claimed the national bronze in 2:36.75.
The Women’s 800 Freestyle Relay was the first medal opportunity of the day and it was Limerick taking the gold back down the M7 motorway as Leanna Liddane, Ella Carroll, Hannah O’Connor and Olwyn Cooke clocked a combined 8:50.01. Eva Bayley, Ava Rock, Ruth Kelly and Leagh Bailey placed second in 8:55.27 while in third was Sundays Well (Ellen Lee, Isabel Kidney, Beth Nolan, Sharon Semchiy) with a time of 9:00.90.
The Women’s 100 Freestyle opened this evening’s proceedings with Rosie Phelan (57.92) of Cormorant touching first, Maria Godden of National Centre Limerick touched next in 58.06, third place went to National Centre Ulster swimmer Mollie McAlorum in a time of 58.26.
There was a change of events as the Men’s 400 Freestyle was next on the schedule with Nathan Wiffen of Larne completing a hat-trick of golds this week with a first place finish in final. Wiffen went under the four-minute mark for the second consecutive time today, clocking 3:56.09. Jack Fleming went 4:03.76 to take the silver back to Lisburn, third place went to Kilkenny swimmer, Aidan Cook in 4:17.67.
The Women’s 200 Butterfly saw Sundays Well swimmer Sharon Semchiy went quickest in the 18 and over claim gold, clocking 2:21.12, silver went to Hannah O’Shea of Dolphin in 2:22.07, while Hannah McCabrey of Lurgan went 2:27.26 to place third.
Sticking with the butterfly event, the Men’s 200 Butterfly was next with Jack Cassin continuing his impressive form this week in the lead into the u23 Europeans, the National Centre Limerick swimmer claimed gold with 1:59.53, breaking the two-minute mark. Cassin’s Centre teammate, Brogan McAviney went 2:06.85 to claim silver, with bronze going to Adam Wilson from Banbridge in a time of 2:09.07.
The Women’s 50 Breaststroke gold went to National Centre Limerick swimmer Eimear Doyle (32.43), pipping Molly Mayne (32.50) of Templeogue by .7 seconds to take the top podium position. Limerick’s Olwyn Cooke was next to touch claiming national bronze in a time of 33.02.
The last race of the evening was the Men’s 50 Breaststroke, a race that featured London 2012 Olympian Barry Murphy. It the young and upcoming Eoin Corby (National Centre Limerick) that came out on top, pipping veteran Murphy with 28.38, Murphy (28.68) added a national silver to his collection. Another young promising swimmer on the podium was Liam O’Connor of Terenure. O’Connor went 29.39 to claim bronze. Both Corby and O’Connor will feature in a fortnight for Ireland at the U23 European Championships.
The first medal opportunity today was the 400 Medley Relay. Sundays Well Beth Nolan, Isabel Kidney, Sharon Semchiy and Ellen Lee were the first on the podium clocking a combined time of 4:29.92 to claim the women’s gold, New Ross went 4:35.43 in second, with bronze going to Aer Lingus. A Lisburn team of Daniel Edgar, Paul Cox, Dylan Registe, and Adam Colgan went 3:57.29 to claim gold; Larne clocked 4:00.69 in second with third place going to NAC in 4:01.53.
There was a brief interlude this afternoon as the competition stood still to watch Daniel Wiffen’s 1500 Freestyle Final in Fukuoka, shortly after the final finished the action in Dublin resumed with the Women’s 800 Freestyle. Ella Carroll was first home with a time of 9:16.69, Ruth Kelly of New Ross went 9:40.90 to take the national silver, with bronze going to Hazel Bentley of Glenalbyn in a time of 9:41.82. Eve Leleux (Swim Belfast) clocked 9:30.99 to take a commemorative medal home.
The Women’s 100 Backstroke opened the night’s proceedings with Maria Godden, National Centre Limerick, rounding off a good week in the pool ahead of the U23 Europeans with gold in 1:02.17. Jena Macdougald of UCD went 1:04.85 to win silver, third going to Cora Rooney of Enniskillen 1:05.15.
Sticking with the backstroke, the Men’s 100 Backstroke was next up. Matthew Walsh Hussey kept the gold medal in the NAC with 59.11, finishing off the week strongly ahead of the U23 Europeans in a fortnight. Next in was National Centre Limerick swimmer Neddie Irwin with 59.92, with Senan Noonan of Aer Lingus claiming bronze in 59.96.
On the same day Ellen Walshe finished 16th in the World in the 400 IM, the Women’s 400 Medley was also on the agenda tonight in the NAC. The home event was won by Lurgan swimmer Hannah McCabrey in excellent fashion, knocking just over ten seconds off her heat swim with 5:09.35. Hannah O’Shea went 5:14.24 to take the silver back to Dolphin with third place going to Toni Jamison of Lisburn in 5:15.90.
The Men’s 200 Medley was next on the schedule. Jack Cassin claimed gold with 2:04.09, silver went to Banbridge swimmer Adam Wilson in 2:08.40, with bronze going to Longford man Gerry Quinn with 2:08.89.
The Women’s 50 Butterfly gold went to Donegal woman Cora Rooney of Enniskillen with a time of 28.10, Naoise Allen of Terenure went 28.20 in second while third place and bronze went to UCD swimmer Jena Macdougald.
The Men’s 50 Butterfly brought the curtain down on the 2023 Irish Youth and Senior Summer National Championships. Calum Bain of National Centre Dublin claimed another national gold with a time of 24.02, Dylan Registe of Lisburn was next to touch in 24.92 while Barry Murphy representing Guinness Masters claimed his third medal of the competition with 25.22.
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