Dolphins take delight in a summer of great success
The Ballina Dophins swimmers who excelled nationally, from left: Anna Butler, Ellie Butler, Hannah McLoughlin, Mark Conroy, Caoimhe Walshe and Darragh Reynolds.
Swimming: Six talented swimmers from the Ballina Dolphins Swimming Club made a splash at the National Finals during the summer. Anna Butler kicked off the club's participation at the Irish Age Group Championships held at the University of Limerick and reached the 200m backstroke final in her age group.
The older swimmers then took to the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin for the Irish National Youth and Senior Championships. Representing the club were Hannah McLoughlin, Ellie Butler, Darragh Reynolds, Caoimhe Walshe and Mark Conroy. Each athlete achieved significant personal bests, showcasing their dedication and skill at this prestigious competition.
Mark Conroy delivered a standout performance, capturing the title of national champion in the 100m breaststroke for his age group. Competing against swimmers from across Ireland and the UK, Conroy's victory has brought immense pride to his club, family and the wider community. He reached seven finals in this competition and earned his place on the Connacht Development Squad.
Caoimhe Walshe notably excelled, reaching several A and B finals. On the final day of the competition, she had an excellent swim in the 800m freestyle in which she achieved a significant personal best.
The journey to this level of competition was marked by relentless training. The swimmers demonstrated extraordinary perseverance, balancing early morning practices during the dark winter months with weekend meets, often sacrificing social activities to achieve their goals.
Head coach Yvonne Ward, along with coaches Donna, Olivia and Shane, played a crucial role in preparing the athletes for national competition. Their efforts were supported by the club's committee and the swimmers' parents, who helped provide the necessary structures and encouragement.
Additional support came from Amy Roddy Coaching. Amy worked on strength and conditioning with the athletes to ensure peak fitness for competition. The team also trained with Ballina Swim Club under Andrew's guidance, adding valuable extra hours and team training sessions. The Ballina Dolphins would like to thank Andrew, Orla and all in the Ballina Swimming Pool for their support.
With the season behind them, the team is already back in the pool, eagerly looking forward to next year's challenges.
