Laois Marlin Swimming Club enjoyed a hugely successful weekend at the Leinster Long Course Open, marking another significant milestone in the club’s rapid competitive development.
A total of 34 Laois Marlins swimmers qualified to compete at the prestigious Leinster event, underlining the depth and growing standards within the club.
The highlight of the weekend came on Day 1 when the club secured its first-ever Leinster relay medal.
The Mixed 400m Medley Relay team of Alex, Amy, Ethan and Yifei delivered an outstanding performance to claim a historic silver medal.
Relay success continued on the final day of competition, with Laois Marlins adding two more podium finishes.
The Open 400m Freestyle Relay team of Alex, Ewan, Isaac and Kyle struck gold, while the Female 400m Freestyle Relay team of Aoibheann, Louise, Sarah and Yifei earned a well-deserved silver medal.
There were also impressive individual performances throughout the weekend.
Competing in the Girls 15–16 age group, Yifei had a standout meet, winning four silver medals in the 200m Backstroke, 100m and 200m Freestyle, and the 200m Individual Medley, as well as a bronze medal in the 100m Backstroke.
Strong top-10 finishes were recorded by Alex, Amy, Daniel, Emily, Ewan, Kyle, Lena, Louise, Sarah and Siofra, reflecting the club’s competitiveness across multiple age groups.
In addition to medals and placings, many Laois Marlins swimmers achieved early qualification times for upcoming major competitions, including Regionals, the McCullagh International and the National Championships.
The McCullagh International, one of Ireland’s most prestigious age-group swimming events and a regular host to international competitors, takes place from February 20–22 and represents the club’s next major competitive focus.
The progress of Laois Marlin Swimming Club is particularly notable given that it is a 100% volunteer-led organisation.
Competitive growth in recent years has been clear, with the McCullagh International serving as a strong indicator of this upward trend.
The club had two qualifiers in 2023, four in both 2024 and 2025, and now boasts seven qualifiers for the current 2026 season — Alex, Amy, Ewan, Louise, Sarah, Siofra and Yifei.
This steady rise reflects not only an increase in membership but also improved competitive standards, with greater representation at regional and national-level competitions and multiple national age-group championship gold medals achieved in recent seasons.
Alongside its competitive programme, Laois Marlins prides itself on offering a comprehensive swimming pathway for all.
This includes leisure, development and masters programmes, the STARS initiative for swimmers with learning disabilities, and ongoing support for PARA swimmers.
The club works closely with organisations such as Swim Ireland, Laois Sports Partnership and Vision Ireland to ensure swimming is accessible, inclusive and enjoyable for participants of all abilities.
With strong performances at Leinster level and growing representation on the national stage, Laois Marlin Swimming Club continues to build momentum — driven by dedicated volunteers, committed swimmers and a clear vision for inclusive excellence in the sport.
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