Leinster Schools’ “B” Grade Gala Report

On Saturday 14^th May 2011 a group of  eleven swimmers travelled to the Tallaght Community Sports Complex to represent Maynooth Post Primary School in the Leinster Schools’ “B” Grade Gala. This is a swimming competition that is organised for swimmers who are currently competing with their own clubs and ex-swimmers that never got the opportunity to compete in swimming galas but have the skills that are required to do so. Each swimmer was only allowed to participate in a maximum of two individual events.

Three MPPS swimmers took part from 1^st Year; Aoife Lynch (U/12) from class 5A, Victoria Connolly (U/14) from class 1A and Aisling Redmond (U/14) from class 1A. Aoife competed in the 50m freestyle and 50m backstroke, Victoria swam in the 50m breaststroke and Aisling brought back a silver medal for the 50m breaststroke and a silver medal for the 50m butterfly. We hope to see these budding young swimmers come back fighting next year!

 A total of five 2^nd Year students from MPPS competed on Saturday. Lauren Hastings (U/14) from class 15B, Méadhbh Nelson (U/14) from class 11B, Brenda Finlay (U/14) from class 14B and Ailbhe Quinn (U/14) from class 11B joined forces to form a 4x50m freestyle relay team. The relay team was very successful and brought home the gold. As well as winning the gold medal in the relay each of the girls also competed in their own individual events which proved to be very successful. Lauren won a gold medal for the 50m backstroke and a silver medal for the 50m freestyle. Méadhbh won a silver medal for the 50m backstroke. Brenda won a bronze medal for the 50m butterfly. Ailbhe took home a bronze medal in the 50m freestyle. Joseph Millet (U/14) from class 10B competed in the 50m freestyle and the 50m breaststroke in his age group.

 Only one brave MPPS student represented 3^rd Year and that was Allison O’ Dea (U/16) from class 19C. Allison took part in the 50m freestyle and the 50m backstroke. David Kelly (U/16) from class 25D represented Transition Year in the gala. David was very successful and brought home two silver medals, one for the 50m freestyle and one for the 50m breaststroke. Seán McKnight (U/18) the only 5^th Year student to participate in the gala on behalf of Maynooth Post Primary School. Seán was very successful and achieved two gold medals in both the 50m freestyle and 50m backstroke.

 This is a fantastic personal achievement for the swimmers involved as it was the first time that they represented Maynooth Post Primary School in a swimming gala. Hopefully they will be equally as successful next year and that we can bring an even bigger and better swim team to the next gala. The Leinster Schools’ “A” Grade Gala will take place early in January 2012 – keep your eyes peeled!