Swim Ireland’s Irish Open Swimming Championships started on Saturday (1st April) at the Sport Ireland National Aquatic Centre in Dublin. The 5-day event saw almost five hundred swimmers from seventy clubs compete for national titles in thirty-four individual events and for places on seven Irish National Teams, including a home European Under 23 Championships in August.

The Open Championships was the final opportunity for swimmers to post consideration times for this summer’s international events including the World Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, World Para Swimming Championships in Manchester, United Kingdom, European U23 Championships, European Junior Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, European Youth Olympic Festival in Maribor, Slovenia, Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago and the European Junior Open Water Championships and LEN Open Water Cups.

As well as the chance to get consideration times for these competitions, it is also the first opportunity for swimmers to get these times and to be considered for National and Regional Squad programmes for the 2023/24 season.

Qualification standards to get into this competition was tough but representation from Banbridge Academy was strong with swimmers, representing Lurgan ASC Lisburn Swimming club and Banbridge ASC.

From the school representing Banbridge ASC was:

From the school representing Lurgan ASC was:

From the school representing Lisburn Swimming Club was:

Overall, from these Banbridge Academy swimmers there were:

Personal Bests – 14

Finalists – 10

The standard of swimming was excellent, with tight races and there were a number of new Ulster, and Irish records being set by some of the biggest names in Irish swimming.

The format had three finals, the Open Final, Junior Final and B Final.  Only those getting into the Open Final were able to win medals, but it was no small accomplishment making either the B Final or Junior Final and those swimmers achieving this should be very proud of themselves.

Highlights for each swimmer were:

Sophie Black – First time at this gala and she shouldn’t be disappointed, a good showing in the 100 Backstroke getting around her entry time, followed by a PB in her 50 Backstroke.

Ciara Daly – Set a new PB in the 50 Breast to get a place in the Junior Final, and then made a couple of places to finish 8^th in the final.

Lauren Burns-Atkin – This was Lauren’s second time at this competition and she enjoyed the experience, with a couple of solid swims.

Samantha Burns-Atkin – This was Samantha’s first time at this gala and she was a little disappointed with her times, but she made the B Final in the 200 Breaststroke and should be proud of stepping up to this level and use the experience for the rest of this season.

Tara Kennedy – This was also Tara’s first time at this gala and she had a great swim in the 100 Butterfly getting a PB and securing a place in the Junior Final.  Tara then set another PB in the final.  In the 200IM she again set a new PB and narrowly missed out on a place in the B Final.

Ross McCombe – In a tough field Ross had a couple of great swims in the 100 and 200 Breaststroke, setting new PBs in both events.

Anna McKernan – Anna had a good gala making the Junior Final in the 100 Butterfly, and narrowly missing out on the B Final in the 200 Free. The 800 Free is a gruelling event and after a long few days Anna did well to be around her entry time.

Aimee Dawson – In her favourite events, the 800 and 1500 Free, Aimee finished 13^th overall and set a new PB in the 800 Free.  In the 200 Free she qualified for the B Final.

Zachary Black – This was a very good meet for Zach who made the Junior Final in all three of his events, also setting new PBs in all three.  In the 100 Breaststroke Junior Final he came 1^st in a strong field.  In the 50 Breast Junior Final, Zach came 2^nd and in the 200 Breaststroke Junior Final he came 3^rd, narrowly missing out on 2^nd.

Alana Burns-Atkin – Alana was coming into this competition as last year’s 200 Butterfly champion and was aiming to retain her Irish title.  Before that though, she had the 100 Butterfly and was up against the talented Ellen Walshe who had been to the last Olympic Games.  Alana made the Open Final, and although she took 2^nd in the Open Category and Gold in the Junior Category and had a good race, she was no match for Ellen who broke the Irish Record.  In the 50 Fly, again Alana made the Open Final and this time was up against another Olympian in Dannielle Hill.  Alana managed to secure a PB and get under 28 seconds for the first time, finishing 4^th in the open category, and took 1^st place in the Junior Category.

The 200 Butterfly in the Open Final was a tough race, especially after several days of racing,  but Alana managed to come home strong and finished 1^st taking both the Junior and Open titles, retaining her title from last year.

During the competition there was an opportunity for swimmers to attempt to set times for the international competitions in the summer and as a result there was the opportunity to do time trials if a swimmer hadn’t yet got a time.  Alana took the opportunity to do a trial for the 100 Butterfly time trial and, swimming with just one other swimmer, and needing 1:01.44, Alana posted a time of 1:01.22 achieving a consideration time for the European Junior Championships to be held in Serbia, the Under 23 Championships in Dublin, and the Youth Commonwealth Games to be held in Trinidad and Tobago.  All these competitions will be held in July and August and, if selected, Alana will have a busy but exciting summer.