Molly takes part in ASA National Age Group competition

After winning the Gold Medal at the Ulster Age Groups in March 2015 in the U12 100m breaststroke in a time of 1.18.56min (6.5secs ahead of the nearest other competitor) and recording a time of 37.01secs in the 50m breaststroke at the Irish Nationals in May 2015, Molly Curry (Coleraine Swimming Club) made 2 qualifying times for the ASA Nationals in August 2015 in both of her preferred events – 50m and 100m breaststroke.

Molly pictured with the rest of Team Ireland, back row second from right.

The ASA Nationals is a National Age Group Competition held in Sheffield’s Ponds Park 50m Competition Pool when the top 20 British swimmers per age group are invited to compete at the highest level within Britain.

Due to being part of Swim Ulster, which is affiliated with Swim Ireland, Molly entered as an International swimmer after achieving the high entry time standard.

Molly was one of two swimmers representing Ulster at this prestigious event in England.

During her five days in Sheffield she stayed with Team Ireland and became part of the overall team representing Ireland.

The Irish Team consisted of 13 swimmers and five coaches/team leaders.

Before the first event (50m) it was obvious the competition was very tight with all 20 entry times within 1sec of each other.

Molly was seeded 20th before the event and ended up coming 15th overall.

In her second event, the 100m, again with only two seconds between 60 swimmers in three of the different age groups Molly knew that it was going to be difficult to maintain the second seed entry time position.

She ended up 17th overall in her age group in a very tight race.

Molly really enjoyed the experience of representing Ulster and Ireland at the top national youth swimming event in the UK in what was a fantastic experience.

Molly would like to thank her Coleraine Swimming Club coaches and fellow training partner, Finn McEwan (also one of Ulster’s top breaststrokers) as she continued to train from June to mid August when the majority of the club had finished for the season at the end of May.

Molly would also like to thanks the Coleraine Sports Council for helping to fund her trip.