The following is a press release courtesy of Swim Ireland:
Twelve members of the Swim Ireland International Youth Squad departed on Sunday July 20th for Winnipeg, Canada, to represent Ireland at the 2014 Canadian Championships. The Championships will run from July 23rd-27th at Winnipeg’s Pan Am Pool, and will see the top age group swimmers from across Canada battle it out for national honours.
Following the positive performances displayed by all 12 team members at the Irish Age Group Championships last weekend, the Irish team will enter the Canadian Age Group Championships with confidence that they can continue to deliver personal best performances, resulting in finals and podium finishes.
Irish team member Antoinette Neamt, who trains at the NAC Performance Centre and is a member of Tallaght Swimming Club, will aim to continue her remarkable form competing in the freestyle events, where she is seeded in the top 3 throughout. Also looking to achieve a podium finish is Larne S.C’s Conor Ferguson, who will compete in the backstroke events. Both swimmers will be looking to add to their titles achieved at the Irish Age Group Championships last weekend.
Speaking ahead of the Championships, National Performance Director, Peter Banks, expressed his excitement at the prospects which await this young group of swimmers: “This is a great opportunity to expose these young swimmers to an international environment. For some of the athletes it will be their first time travelling outside of Ireland to compete, and for all, their first time to compete outside of Europe. We have a very good squad here in Canada, and we aim to make a number of finals. Competing at this event is important for these young athletes as they continue their development towards the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.”
Swimmers in action on Wednesday
Girls 1500m Freestyle – Antoinette Neamt (13); Ciara Doran (14); Katie Baguley (14)
Girls 50m Breaststroke – Mona McSharry (13); Niamh Coyne (13)
Boys 50m Breaststroke – Andrew Moore (16);
Boys 200m Backstroke – Conor Ferguson (14); Rory McEvoy (16); Bryan O’Sullivan (16)
Boys 100m Backstroke – Robert Powell (14); Gerry Quinn (16)
Girls 100m Butterfly – Rebecca Reid (12)
Canadian Age Group Championships, 23rd – 28th July 2014, Montreal, Canada
Robert Powell (Athlone SC), Gerry Quinn (Longford SC), Katie Baguley (Glenalbyn SC), Mona McSharry (Marlins ASC), Antoinette Neamt (Tallaght SC/SI NAC PC), Bryan O’Sullivan (Galway SC), Niamh Coyne (Tallaght SC), Andrew Moore (Galway SC), Rebecca Reid (Ards ASC), Conor Ferguson (Larne ASC), Rory McEvoy (Ennis SC), Ciara Doran (Limerick SC).