The seventh annual Boyne Swim hosted by Drogheda Triathlon Club with the continued support of Drogheda Port Company and Aura Leisure, took place in perfect weather conditions on Saturday September 10th..
Starting in Mell, swimming under all the bridges of our historic town including the wonderful engineering feat that is the Boyne Viaduct and finishing at the boathouse of the Boyne Fishermens.
Awaiting the winners are the magnificent trophies commissioned by Drogheda Port Company and designed by local Ronan Halpin, now based in Achill Island.
The Boyne Swim organising committee worked hard over the past year putting together a wonderful event that showcased Drogheda and the beautiful River Boyne.
This year’s swim saw 260 swimmers from all corners of Ireland and beyond take on the 2.7km course and compete in both Skins and Wetsuit categories. The event is now well established on the National Open Water Swim calendar and a Qualifying race for the Liffey Swim hosted Leinster Open Water Swim (LOS).
First swimmer over the line this year and winner of the Junior Male trophy was 17 year old Finn O’Neill representing ESB swim club in a time of 31mins 30 secs. Finn is certainly a young man that we are going to hear about in future. His mother is originally from Drogheda, Edwina Kelly from Duleek Street, so almost a local winner.
In second place overall, Donnacha O Siadhail of Meath Masters in a time of 32mins 50 secs and thus winner of the overall Senior Male trophy. Donnacha is a longtime friend of the Boyne Swim and Round the Head swim.
Sixth out of the water and winner of the overall Senior Female trophy was Charlotte Reid, Aer Lingus Swim Club in a time of 35mins 30 secs. Charlotte is also a long-time friend and supporter of our swim.
Caoimhe Doyle, Drogheda Swimming Club (DSC) was 8th out of the water and overall winner of the Junior Female category in a time of 35 mins 47 secs. Drogheda Swim Club is becoming a force on the national swim scene and the club is growing from strength to strength.
Colin Lowth, a past winner and another longtime supporter of the event, was 4th out of the water and the overall Senior Male wetsuit winner in a time of 33mins 47sec. Colin has recently won the national open water 2.5K championships in Lough Lene,Co Westmeath.
Drogheda Swimming Club had a clean sweep in both the Junior Female and Male wetsuit categories. Testament to the dedicated work of the swimmers and their coaches whose long hours of coaching/training are really starting to pay dividends.
Junior Male Wetsuit category, First: Eoin Lumsden in a time of 38mins 18 sec, Second: Aoidhri Mc Groddy in a time of 38mins 45 secs and in Third place: Aidan Martin: 39mins 40 secs.
Junior Female Wetsuit category First: Caoimhe Doyle 35mins 47 secs, Second place: Aoife Mc Groddy: 35mins 48 secs. Third place: Sadbh Pentony 39mins 06 secs.
The youngest male swimmer on the day and one to watch for the future was 11 year old Matthew Corkery, St Vincent’s Water Polo Club, who swam with his father Patrick Corkery.
Ray Donagh of the Boyne Swim Committee said: ‘This swim has now joined the elite group of city swims in Ireland and over the 7years has really become a big deal on the National open water swim calendar, attracting a wider audience each year. It is great for Drogheda and for the sport of open water swimming’.
Paul Fleming of Drogheda Port Company said “The race goes from strength to strength each year and is now recognised nationally. This is due to the work of the Drogheda Triathlon Club who approach the race in such a professional manner. The feedback from the swimmers on the day was nothing short of fantastic, fantastic race, fantastic river, wonderful organisation and refreshments”.
The Boyne Swim has a serious reputation for post-race hospitality provided to its swimmers by the Drogheda Triathlon Club members who get out the aprons every year and bake up a feast!
All in all a fantastic and enjoyable day of swimming as we basked in the glorious September sunshine.
Special thanks to all who supported the event, Drogheda Port Company, Louth County Council, Aura Leisure, Boyne Fishermens Rescue & Recovery team, Drogheda Coast Guard, Drogheda Fire Brigade, the Red Cross, volunteer kayakers and Drogheda Triathlon Club members, quite simply the swim could not happen without you.
