Four young swimmers travelled to Dublin over the weekend to take part in the Cormorant Age Group/Open Gala at the Trinity Sports & Leisue Donaghmede.

The Gala was held over two days, Saturday April 6 and Sunday April 7. The main objective of the swimmers attending is to achieve Ulster qualifying times and to swim in the Ulster Age Groups you have to have at least three qualifying times in at least two strokes. 11 year old Dara McGandy had a really successful two days where he came home with four golds and a bronze!

Dara gained his first gold on Saturday afternoon. when he came in first in the Boys 11 year old age group in a personal best time of 3min 27.91sec which was also an Ulster qualifying time. The following day Dara continued where he left off when he also gained another qualifying time in the 100m freestyle in a time of 1min 20.72sec. In his next race Dara was back among the medals coming first in the 50m Breaststroke in a time of 45.41secs. He next competed in the 100m breaststroke and again struck gold in a time of 1min 38.08 secs achieving another ulster qualifying time. In his last race Dara won gold in the 50m Backstroke in a time of 46.11secs finishing off a highly successful meet for this emerging young swimmer!

Not to be out done by Dara 12 year old Annie Flynn also had an amazing two days of swimming. On Saturday afternoon Annie came third in the 200m Backstroke well inside the Ulster qualifying time. In her next race Annie was just outside the medals in the 200m freestyle in a time of 3mins 6secs. The following day Annie came fifth overall in the 100m freestyle in a time of 1min 20.41secs. In her next race Annie was again among the medals coming third in the 100m backstroke in an Ulster qualifying time of 1min 28.60secs. Annie struck gold in her next race in the 200 IM in another ulster qualifying time of 3min 16.87secs. In her next race the 100m breaststroke Annie gained another bronze in a time of 1min 38.44secs another ulster qualifying time. In her final race the 50m backstroke Annie finished second in a time of 39sec! A fantastic overall performance by this up and coming swimmer.

The most unlucky swimmer over the two days was Annie's twin sister Molly Flynn. On Saturday, 12 year old Molly came eighth overall in the 200m backstroke in a time of 3min 18.77secs just two seconds outside an Ulster qualifying time. In her next race Molly was just ouside the medals in a time of 2min 59secs. The following day Molly finished seventh overall in the 100m freestyle in a time of 1min 21.24sec. In her next race Molly finished eighth overall in the 100m backstroke in a time of 1min 35.33secs.

In her next race the 200 IM the most demanding race of the day Molly finished fourth overall in a time of 3min 33.31secs. In her next race the 100m breaststroke which is her favourite stroke Molly was so close again to the medals finishing fourth overall in a time of 1min 39.41secs but nonetheless achieving an Ulster qualifying time! In her last race the 50m backstroke Molly again finished fourth overall in a time of 43secs.

Despite being disappointed from missing out on the medals Molly will learn from this and it will only make her more determined to go on to continue to achieve great things in her swimming career.

11 year old Peter Dolan who has had a great year achieving Ulster qualifying times did not disappoint on Saturday when he competed in the 200m backstroke finishing fifth overall in a time of 3min 14.04 well inside the Ulster qualifying time!! In his next race the 200m freestyle Peter finished just outside the medals in a time of 3min 01.61secs. Another impressive performance by these young swimmers. All these swimmers achieved massive personal best times in most of their races and Ulster qualifying times. All of them have a bright future in swimming and will no doubt will hear more success in the coming months and years.