Aer Lingus Masters Open Short Course 2013 – Dublin Swimmers Fly High

A dozen Dublin masters swimmers made their way to the ALSAA pool in early May 2013. Well done to all, among them Trevor, Maeve, Ceall, Una, Mairead, Andrew, Maria, Colin, Niall, Charles, Claire, and John.

We won a combined 14 Gold medals, six silver and six bronze. Ccongratulations to Maeve Dunne who recorded a new Irish record in the 200m breaststroke.

Well done to all DSC swimmers!

Limerick Successes and a New Record

Eight masters members made the trip to Limerick for the long course gala in early March 2013. In the 1,500m f/c Una Ryan was second in her age group, Eithne Kenny was third, Ceall O’Dunlaing  won his age group while Charles Harper was second.            

In the 400m f/c Caroline Kiernan came in fourth, Una Ryan was second (again), while Charles Harper came in fourth.              

John Keegan, in his first gala in years, came in third in 50m backstroke. In 50m butterfly Claire O’Dwyer won, Pearse Wildes was seventh and John Keegan was fifth.

There were lots of other results, among them notably Maeve Dunne who won the 50 breastroke in anew Irish record time.

Fergus Barron and Claire O'Dwyer are honoured

Two of our swimmers who have given many years and much input into Dublin Swimming Club have recently been awarded great accolades.

Fergus Barron (Swim Ireland 20+ years Service Award)

Fergus was born in Ennis Co. Clare in 1928. He was involved in swimming in Ennis in the early years before moving to Dublin and joining Dublin SC in the 50s. Some time later he became club coach and was also a founding member of the masters swimming movement in Ireland. His commitment to the club never ceased and even still members of DSC remember his activeness and contribution fondly.

A quote from DSC member Sandra Trappe sums up Fergus and his impact on many people.

"From way back to the days of Tara street baths and Iveagh Baths, Fergus was instrumental in getting me and other young people to try all disciplines of swimming. In Blackrock baths, a typical training session could include diving from the springboards, races of all distances, water polo, synchronised swimming for all age groups within the baths, followed by an open water swim to the "pole" and back to the baths. Fergus was great at including everyone and encouraging all of us to have fun.

At the drop of a hat, and after a few phone calls to the "country" he would organise busloads of young swimmers to go places through out Ireland in order to experience open-water swimming. He didn't think twice about packing 8 - 10 young people in the back of his car to drive us to galas. It was great fun and because of him, everyone made friends very easily."

Fergus also published a book"Swimming for a Century IASA 1893 - 1993"

He was also president of The Irish Amateur Association

Claire O'Dwyer (Swim Ireland Outstanding Achievement in Master's Swimming)

As of February 2013, Dublin SW member Claire O'Dwyer was the holder of over 50 Irish long and short course records in four different age brackets. In 2011 she ranked in the top ten in the world for four different individual disciplines and she has flown the flag for Dublin SC and Ireland at the highest international level.

She is probably the most decorated athlete in swimming, has won Masters world titles and is the only Irish swimmer ever to have set a FINA world record. Claire has been a stalwart of Irish Masters swimming from its inception.

Claire (née Small) O’Dwyer represented Otter SC in the 60’s winning National Championships in Free and Fly. In 1960 she held the 100Fly National record.

1991 - 50-54yrs age group in the European Masters in Coventry, gold in the 50Free, 100Free and 50Fly and setting European records in the 50Free and 50Fly

1992 - World Masters in Indianapolis, second in the 100Fly, third in the 50Fly, 200Fly and 100Free.

1994 -  World Masters Montreal she won a Gold, three Silvers and a Bronze.

1996 - Worlds in Sheffield Claire won five Gold medals and set World records in the 50Free and 100Fly in the 55-59yrs age group.

2002 -  New Zealand in the 60-64yrs age group she set World records in the 50Fly and 100Fly.

2012 - Worlds Riccione her swims in 50m and 100m freestyle won hersilver and bronze in the 70-74 age group.

She still holds Irish records in the 55-59, 60-65,65-69 and 70-74 age groups.

Claire is an example to the rest of us and we probably will never again see a swimmer in Ireland who has amassed so many records.

It is for these reasons that this year Swim Ireland has acknowledged Claire as the recipient of the award for outstanding achievement in masters swimming.   

 Congratulations Claire from all at Dublin Swimming Club !!!

The 2013 Open Sea season

The 2013 season is drawing closer, and preliminary calendars have already been made public. Our own sea race is scheduled for Sunday the 23rd June at Killiney Beach.

We will be publishing the calendar as soon as it is official.

Our 2012 race was filmed and you can watch the highlights [ here ]. Thankfully the rain held off till the end on the day.