UCD Swimming dominated the Irish Intervarsity Championships in Kilkenny over the weekend, capturing the men’s, women’s and overall team titles. The team, lead by Coach Earl McCarthy, remain undefeated this year, and finished this weekend on top in a combined total of 214.5 points.

Second place went to NUI Maynooth with 164 points, followed by Trinity College with 79 points.

‘This year’s Intervarsities was a complete success for UCD,’ Coach McCarthy said. ‘I am extremely proud of the team; they showed great team spirit and unity. The overall points award can only be won by a united team where every single athlete plays a role in fighting for every point. This is exactly what UCD Swimming showed this weekend. They demonstrated great pride representing both themselves and their university.’

The UCD women, led by captain Rachel Breslin, defended their title for the second year, finishing with 131 points over NUI Maynooth with 85 points, followed by Queens University with 37 points.

Top individual performances by the UCD women included 6 golds by Aisling Cooney (100 back, 200 back), Julie Galloway (200 IM, 100 IM) and Niamh O Sullivan (200 fly, 200 free); 9 silvers by Rosanna Cooney (100 free, 200 back), Grace Sweeney (200 IM, 200 free), Ciara Terry (50 back), Kate Coleman (100 IM), Rachel Breslin (100 fly), Sarah Caulfield (200 breast) and Eva Kelly (50 fly); and 3 bronzes by Ciara Terry (100 back), Kate Coleman (50 breast) and Claire O Donovan (200 breast). The UCD relay team of Aisling Cooney, Grace Sweeney, Julie Galloway and Niamh O Sullivan stroked to victory in both the individual medley and freestyle relays.

‘The women’s event this year was again dominated by the UCD women’s team,’ Coach Earl McCarthy said. ‘Their performances once again confirm their unquestionable position as the best women’s university team in the country.’

The UCD men, lead by captain David Cooney, faced a fierce battle for the title with NUI Maynooth. After trading the lead throughout the finals, the two teams were only separated by half a point by the final event, the 4x50 metre freestlye relay. In an intense showdown between the two rivals, the UCD team of James Sweeney, Gary Collinge, Vinny McArdle and David Cooney emerged victorious and led UCD to a final score of 71.5 points, beating NUI Maynooth by 2.5 points overall. NUI Maynooth finished second with 69 points, followed by Waterford IT with 53.5 pionts.

‘This year’s Intervarsities was a tough battle on the men’s side. NUI Maynooth lived up to their team mascot and fought like devils but were held off in the final event by UCD to win by two and a half points,’ Coach McCarthy said.

Top individual performances by the UCD men included 1 gold by David Cooney (200 free); 4 silvers by James Sweeney (100 free, 100 breast), Niall McCauley (200 fly) and David Cooney (100 fly); and 1 bronze by Conor Hillick (200 IM). The Individual Medley relay of Conor Hillick, James Sweeney, David Cooney and Vinny McArdle placed second overall.

 Additionally, the cannon relay of Aisling Cooney, Vinny McArdle, Grace Sweeney, James Sweeney, Niamh O Sullivan and David Cooney finished first overall ahead of NUI Maynooth.

 UCD Swimming are currently in the Semi-Finals of the inaugural CUSAI swimming league. With the stellar performances over the weekend, UCD are preparing for continued success and aim to finish the season with an undefeated record. This will place the team in prominent position for next year, when UCD Swimming is brought home to Belfield with the opening of the 50 metre swimming pool this Autumn.