Coach Paolo’s Division 2 Report from University of Limerick

Photo courtesy: De Photo

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Gala report from Coach Paolo;

“…Here we are again……….. back from Limerick after competing in the Irish Age Groups Div 2 Gala. Three days of intense and exciting competition took place in an atmosphere, which was very warm in every sense.

The Gala was well organised, presenting only minor flaws. Everything went relatively well and sessions ended within the scheduled timeframe. We had a small team of 4 girls (Sinead, Megan, Ciara and Eilbhe), all of them in the under 12 Age group, one boy in the same Age group (Derek) and one in the under 16 (Michael). So the team was small in numbers but grand in spirit and attitude. They cheered and supported each other all the way throughout the three long days of competitions.

The first day we started with the girls in the water for the 100Bk. They all got fantastic Pbs with Eilbhe lowering hers by more than 3 seconds and Sinead missing the final for 0.04. Then it was Michael’s turn with the 200IM in which he swam very close to his Pb and almost made the podium.  Ciara, Megan, Sinead and Eilbhe had a fantastic medley relay, which almost made the final.

On Saturday we had a very good day with swimmers, both girls and boys, getting Pbs again in almost all the events they swam and with Derek making finals in the 100 Fly and Fc and missing the Division 1 time only by 0.08. Michael also made the final in the 100 Fly finishing second and getting the first medal for our team. The girls made the Fc relay final, in which they ended 4th, despite a minor accident in the heat. They showed a great attitude and fought really well. Megan’s face (and voice) whilst cheering and encouraging the others after her own leg was priceless and also the official photographer noticed that.

The final day had in store more excitement for us. We started really well with Derek swimming a fantastic 200Bk and winning the gold medal. Then in the same event Sinead lowered her Pb by 4 seconds with Ciara getting another Pb as well. But we hadn’t finished yet! Michael made the final in the 100 Breast and a few minutes later, in a well paced race, Derek won another medal getting also Division 1 time in the 200 Fc. He got the Bronze but should have been awarded Silver, since a swimmer with D 1 times was allowed to race. All our complaints were dismissed with silly excuses. In the 200 Fc for the girls, the final event, Sinead got another fantastic Pb by 3 seconds.

Overall it was a very good Gala for us and the team showed a good sense of comradeship and friendship with boys cheering and supporting the girls and the girls returning the favour at every swim. Michael, who was the only one from the Seniors squad, deserves a special mention. He mingled very well with the youngest swimmers and was always present to support them during races almost at risk of missing his own swims.

Parents were fantastic, always helpful and cheerful; they never interfered with the coach’s work but were always ready to bring their support and contribution in a discrete and relaxed way, making his life much easier. That contributed to create a joyful and serene atmosphere amongst the children who enjoyed the experience in and out of the pool.

Last but not least, I have to mention and thank our fabulous Team Manager, Noeleen, who did a great job taking care of every aspect of our trip to Limerick and kept us well fed throughout the long weekend……………………….with a little help from the local Chinese.