There was something particularly reassuring about the way young Irish swimmers performed at the British Age Group championships in Coventry last weekend. Michael Kelleher's silver medal was the only prize won, but many claimed final places in their events.
Claire Mulholland, the Swim Ireland PRO, was highly impressed by the quality performances of 10 Irish swimmers. "They were competing against the cream of age-group competitors and, for me, sent out a strong message that the future looks extremely bright starting from now."
Kelleher is a younger brother of international Lee and his smooth 50-metre, runner-up freestyle swim did not surprise. He clocked 24.8 seconds and posted a 55.75 100 metres which earned him the best junior accolade award. The Cork youth was one of six competitors from Munster.
Florry O'Connell, of Kingdom SC, was edged out of the placings in a fast final to the 200 metres butterfly. Rory Ryan of Ennis was equally impressive in the final of the 100 metres backstroke.
Outside of the Munster-based swimmers, there were excellent swims by Fiona Kinsella of Trojan (fifth in the final at 100 metres butterfly) and Michelle Tighe of Tuam over 800 metres.
Meanwhile, the Irish Olympic swimmers named so far will be based in Newcastle, adjacent to Sydney, for final preparations before competition begins next month in the Olympic pool.
The millennium Irish Times-sponsored Dun Laoghaire Harbour swims are scheduled for Sunday next. The 1,850 metres men's event gets underway at 4.30 p.m. with the women's event to follow.
