NATHAN Turner, Aisling Haughey, Fiachra Bevan and Benjamin Doyle, from Aer Lingus Swim Club, were medallists at the 2017 Irish Open Swimming Championships held recently in the National Aquatic Centre.
Turner, a resident of Clonshaugh, became a National Champion in the Men’s 800m Freestyle when he took gold away from Finn McGeever of Limerick Swim Club by just eight hundredths of a second in a thrilling race.
Malahide resident Haughey was brilliant as always, winning a silver medal in the Women’s 200m Breaststroke and a bronze medal in the Women’s 100m Breaststroke with a Personal Best (PB).
This achievement came despite her juggling a hospital work placement for school and swim training during the lead up to the competition.
Bevan, a Lucan resident, swam very well, producing PBs in all his races and winning his first senior medal at the Nationals, a bronze medal in the Men’s 1500m Freestyle.
Doyle, from Skerries, whose training was cut short by illness, also claimed a bronze medal when he swam a PB in the Men’s 100m Fly.
Overall, Aer Lingus Swim Club had many members of their team make finals and produce PBs.
Lara McEvoy and Christine McFeely from Portmarnock and Malahide respectively, were among the young swimmers who made the senior finals for the first time.
Aer Lingus head coach Alan Turner said he was very happy with the performances of the swimmers as most of them stepped up and made their first senior finals and there were a lot of PBs.
Mr Turner said it is always hard to PB in the big meets due to the pressure of the competition.
New Performance Director of Swim Ireland, Jon Rudd, said this is when it matters most and many of these Aer Lingus swimmers have proven they can do it.
Aer Lingus Swim Club members are now looking forward to the Summer Nationals.