Drogheda Swim Club has returned from the Irish Summer National Age Group Championships in Limerick with 22 medals following four days of competition from 9th to 12th July.
Eleven swimmers represented the club against competitors from more than 90 clubs, securing four gold, 11 silver and seven bronze medals across individual and relay events.
The result follows a successful Community Games in June, when Fionn Molloy won silver in the 50m backstroke and Liliana Kowaluk claimed bronze in the 50m butterfly while representing Louth.
Liliana’s younger sister Milena, who recently joined the club, finished fourth and missed out on a bronze medal by just 0.03 seconds.
Relay teams strike gold
Drogheda Swim Club’s relay teams delivered some of the biggest moments of the championships in Limerick.
The mixed 400m medley relay team and boys’ 400m medley relay team both won gold. The mixed 400m freestyle relay team secured silver, while the boys’ 400m freestyle relay team came away with bronze.
Victor Virlan led the individual medal haul with six medals. He won gold in the 50m butterfly, silver in the 200m individual medley and bronze in the 200m freestyle, 50m freestyle, 100m butterfly and 100m freestyle.
Jessica Sweeney secured four silver medals in the 200m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 50m freestyle and 50m breaststroke.
Sophia Winterbach won silver in the 100m breaststroke, along with bronze medals in the 50m and 200m breaststroke.
Szymon Kowalski claimed silver in both the 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley, while Lili Patchell won silver in the 200m breaststroke and Adam Kozak took silver in the 100m breaststroke.
Stan Penk added another gold to the club’s total with victory in the 100m breaststroke.
National debuts for four swimmers
Frankie Sweeney, Emily Drew, Gabi Jakimavicute and Felix Ralea also represented the club in Limerick, producing strong swims as they made their debuts on the national stage.
The club thanked Paula Hicks for her guidance and support throughout the event, along with Vanessa Comley and Marcin Penk for their work behind the scenes.
The coaching team of Ciaran Doyle, Magda Wajgelt, Bryan Harvey, Feargal Finn, Siobháin Rock, Paula Mitten and Aisling Halpenny were also praised for the many hours they have put into preparing and supporting the swimmers.
Parents and family members who travelled to Limerick were thanked for the encouragement they provided from the stands throughout the four days.
Drogheda Swim Club will now turn its attention to its final major meet of the season, with swimmers due to compete at the Irish Youth and Senior Championships at the National Aquatic Centre in Dublin from 21st to 25th July.
