Sundays Well Swim Club Masters Open Gala Feb 20th 2016
The Sundays Well Masters Gala was held in the Gus Healy Pool, Douglas on Saturday 20th February 2016.
A great buzz was evident around the pool, as the thrill of competition crept up on all the entrants, and the atmosphere was electric from the onset.
SWSC Masters as the host club had a very strong team of 52 members competing on the day. There was a large competitive entry from Cork Masters, with near neighbors Mallow Masters, Cork Tri Club, Brookfield Masters and Sandycove SC also entering teams on the day.
The gala was also very well supported by regulars from, Limerick, Ennis, Clonmel
Masters, Aer Lingus, NAC, Dublin SC, Swim4life, Killarney, Kingdom Masters and Galway Bay Clubs. We were particularly pleased with the strong entries from the Dublin clubs, and Lisburn City SC in the North, all travelling the long distance to compete in the premier Masters event in Cork.
We had a number of Munster & National records broken today – These records are currently going through the application process and will be verified by Swim Ireland Masters in due course.
There were some great individual swims on the day – too many to mention but particular note must go to the team relay events, which appropriately took place at the end of the gala.
Sundays Well Masters won the Men’s 159-200 yrs. 200mts medley relay with Denis Galland, Tommy Lee, Joe McAvoy and Tom Lynch blitzing home to pip Cork Masters at the post in a thrilling finish to kick-start the relay events!
Sandycove Masters won their age group in the women’s 400mts Freestyle Relay in a great time of 4.15.18 with the Cashell sisters in great form in this event!
Clonmel Masters won their relay age group in the female 200 free also – a great result for them in a very competitive event!
The day was topped off with the mixed Canon relay event, (where the fastest men and women in each age group form one team together), with a hugely competitive & exciting final, resulting in a scintillating win by Cork Masters ahead of Sundays Well.
Finally, an eclectic group, comprising of all the clubs and competitors, retired to the South County Bar in Douglas for the famous SWSC Masters relay prize giving ceremony, where a great night was had by all!
Rumor has it that some elite (and even a few inactive) members of SWSC Masters, continued into the small hours of the morning, all in the name of swimming of course
A fitting end to a great day of competition.
Frank Lynch, SWSC Masters Gala Organizer said: ‘This year’s gala was a huge success! I want to particularly thank The Edge Sports and all our sponsors for their backing, and to all the gala committee headed by Margot Powell, our gala referee and officials, call–stewards, time–keepers and volunteers on the day. Thanks also to everyone who assisted in the lead–up & in pulling the entire event together with me. It was great to see all the clubs from near & far, with many friends & rivals competing in the true spirit of the Masters. The success of the event rubber stamped its place as one of the premier galas on the Masters Circuit. Well done to each & every competitor and many thanks again to all’
We look forward to all your support again next year – onwards and upwards for the SWSC Masters!!
Frank Lynch
SWSC
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