The sun shone brightly as the annual Kinvara gala took place at high tide recently – and all who attended marvelled at the atmosphere of this family day out which has placed itself firmly on the local sporting and social calendar.

There were approximately 50 male and female competitors from under eight to under 14.

The afternoon rounded out with a novelty 6 x 50m relay race for adults that was won by the team consisting of Niall O’ Shaughnessy, Catherine Walsh, Seamus Higgins, Hannah Conneely, Helen Colfer, and Jana Keogh who anchored the team with a strong wall to wall swim denying the fast finishing and local Seamount school-teacher Mark Earley a debutant medal.

The U8 girls 20m dash featured the Johnston-Quinn twins, Rosie and Nora, but ultimately the spoils went to their cousin and classmate, Blaise Mac Eoin who put in a superb display of swimming to place Nora and Eve into second and third positions respectively.

The U10 girls gold medal went to Niki Keogh, daughter of the relay anchor swimmer Jana.

Niki learned her swimming with Kinvara swimming club alongside her sister Anna who was victorious in the U12 girls, consigning Sarah Jane O’Connor to second place while Maya Voetter and Tara Mc Inerney came second and third to her sister Anna.

Ten-year-old Conn Mac Eoin swimming into the higher U12 age category touched the wall with eleven seconds to spare in front of Jake Collins and Cian Henchy.

In the U10’s; Alex Carroll was the winner ahead of Patrick Murphy and Jack Sullivan. Grace Conole was victorious in the U11, ahead of Anna Huban and Anna McMahon.

The best attended race was the U14 boys with ten registered, although sea temperatures had taken a slight dip recently and this reduced the field to eight at the start.

Liam Kenny put in a commanding performance to deny his brother Cathal the gold. A Clare entry, Carron swimmer Darragh O’ Loughlin took bronze ahead of a fast-finishing Senan Mac Eoin.

The race of the day was undoubtedly the U14 girls race as Karolina Conole set a strong pace and was ably matched by Hannah Conneely. Karolina touched the wall to win by the slimmest of margins.

The afternoon finished with a medal giving ceremony and a special thanks to Mike Burke of the Pier Head Bar and Restaurant who sponsored the silverware.

Special thanks also to the safety swimmers Sinead O’ Donnell, Helen Colfer and stand-up paddle boarder Catherine Walsh.

Pictured: Participants in the Kinvara Quay Gala.