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Pool Intervarsities 2005
Sligo IT played host to the 2005 Intervarsity Pool Championships on Friday and Saturday the 11 th and 12 th of February, and DCU were there alive and kicking for the weekend. Brendy's big red fun bus picked us up bright and early on Friday (it wasn't particularly big or red and no - it didn't belong to Brendy), and dropped us in the lovely rainy mucky Sligo for the weekend's festivities. Teams and individuals alike put in some superb performances to assure themselves places in the following day's finals. Kevin Stacey, Niamh Mc Donnell and Fintan Lillis were among DCU's leading performers, along with the men's medley relay team (albeit in slightly dubious circumstances!).
Brendy, Timbo, Jenny, Vatsky and Brusky were the first to the bar that night, and the drinks promos and far too much dancing assured that it was an eventful night's fun for the 172 competitors, who were all evidently very concerned about the next day's competition.
Aching heads made balancing on the blocks for the finals quite a chore on day 2. Nonetheless, the DCU team managed a fine medal haul with an impressive 5 medals. Niamh and Kevin both performed excellently, Niamh medaling twice and Kevin winning the 200 IM by a healthy margin. Fintan's hangover may have even had a positive effect on his swimming when he won bronze in the close-fought 50 freestyle. Timbo, Jonathan, Vatsky and Kev also swam well to win a bronze in the medley relay.
Next up was the lifesaving competition and the team performed well in a discipline that is a little unfamiliar to most in the club. Rope throwing, manikin towing and all sorts of other completely mental stuff was performed and the team finished a respectable 5 th overall.
The final evening formal dinner was a welcome event which has been re-introduced to the varsities after a long absence. Even with this year's reminder of how such a night goes, it still remains a hazy and distant memory to most. All finally retired between 6 and 10 am, weary, bleary eyed and durka durka -ed out. Amen.
The men's 4X50m medley relay team who won bronze
Niamh Mc Donnell collecting one of two golds
Swim Varsities 2004
A considerable DCU team travelled up to Queen's University for the 2004 Swimming Intervarsites. On Friday 26th of March, we travelled up to Belfast to make a right old weekend of it. Staying in a city centre location made sure that we were close to the Queens PEC (physical education centre) and of course the centre of Belfast's social scene. A few pints were consumed Friday, as a wee warm up for the next day's competition.
Feeling fresh as dried muck and stale carpets, we were off to the pool the next morning. Surprisingly, we started showing our class from the beginning, with Kevin Stacey, Mark Brady and Fintan Lillis qualifying for finals in the first few events. The success continued with the girls qualifying for finals also.
After lunch, we started on our medal collection, with final placings for Fintan Lillis, Kevin Stacey, Mark Brady, Yvonne Emerson.ETC. The Mens relay also performed well in the medley relay to snatch a bronze. Overall, DCU finished in third place behind Queen's and a very strong Galway side who won the event outright.
The Irish rugby team added to the sense of occasion by beating Scotland, and taking the triple crown. We were set up for a great night.
Lots a drinking, dancing, cheering the french rugby team on, and chatting up later, we landed back at a house party and finished the night off in style.
Many thanks to Joanne Hanna, and all the Queen's organising committee for a fantastic weekend. We may travel up again!
Check the photos link below for a few snaps of the event.
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