Gold for Mayo: Ballina swimmer wins National A competition

Mark Conroy's hard work in the last months has paid off. The 15-year-old took the lead early in his 100m breaststroke final and never let go of it.

"He went out fast, very fast on the first 50m", described Mark's head coach Yvonne Ward speaking to The Mayo News after the race: "He held the lead for the whole race, brilliant. A tough finish though, they were neck-a-neck, the stretch at the end made the difference. Mark attacked from the start, he has that edge to do that."

Mark Conroy has won a very competitive national competition, there is clubs from all the country and the UK present. And he is not alone: The swimming club Ballina Dolphins has five swimmers successfully participating. For example Caoimhe Walsh reached the B final in 200m freestyle, which constitutes as being among the top 20 in the country.

“It is an effort from the whole club, I cannot stress this enough" said coach Ward: "Everyone here in the club are doing their part, the other coaches, parents, they deserve a bit a call-out as well. And obviously the swimmers. They are young people. The weekends where they could have been out, they were training, a huge commitment from all five." 

Mark Conroy has also reached the 50m freestyle final this evening. But that is going to be very difficult. He qualified with a 26 sec 34 and the top times are 25 seconds. Very slim margins will decide this one.

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