5 Golds For 5 Star Ireland

Saturday in Winnipeg, Canada, Ireland had 12 swimmers competing in 10 finals. From there the unexpected happened, 5 Gold Medals, 2 Silver Medals and 1 Bronze Medal. Over the past couple of weeks we have heard of a lot of impressive swims for Irish Swimmers but 5 Star Saturday surpassed all expectations.

The squad excelled throughout the day right from the youngest swimmer, 12 year old Rebecca Reid from Ards, to the oldest group of 16 year old swimmers. The man of the moment Conor Ferguson (Larne SC) was first up on Saturday evening and he set the tone for the night winning the 14 years 100m backstroke in a Personal Best of 57.54. Continuing the strong backstroke showing was Longford boy Gerry Quinn as he also set a Personal Best of 58.78 to take the Bronze Medal.

As strong as Ireland were in the Backstroke, they were even better in the Breaststroke. Young Mona McSharry (13) of Marlins SC stepped up to the plate in the 200m Breaststroke as she powered home in the last 50m to take Gold. Galway's Andrew Moore brought the Gold Medal tally to three for the night as he had an incredible finish to win the 16 year olds 200m Breaststroke with a Personal Best of 2.25.69.

The youngest swimmer in the squad Rebecca Reid (Ards SC) was keen to continue the medal streak as she had a very impressive 200m Freestyle, swimming a 2.12.19 to take First place. They say winning is a habit and this young squad certainly adapted that. Thirteen year old Antoinette Neamt of Tallaght showed why she is one of the best up and coming swimmers. She brought Ireland's Gold Medal tally to Five for the night as she swam a 2.02.72 to win her Age Group.

The medals didn't end there as the boys got back up in the blocks for the 200m Freestyle. Athlone's Robbie Powell went under the 2minute barrier as he swam a Personal Best 1.59.09 to take the silver medal for the 14 years Age Group. Gerry Quinn brought the night to a close, not content with just the one medal on Saturday he added Silver to his Bronze from earlier.

Saturday 26th July 2014, Super Saturday for Swim Ireland's International Youth Squad. The Canadian Age Group Championships continue today, Sunday with Ireland's total Medals currently at 19 and Personal Bests dropping every swim it promises to be another fantastic day of swimming.