LONG READ: Swimming club in Tipperary is celebrating significant milestone
Marlin Swimming Club has a proud legacy of excellence and resilience
The Marlin Swimming Club in Tipperary Town is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Established in 1975, the club has a proud legacy of excellence and resilience. Speaking at their awards night at the Tipperary Excel, Edelle O’Donovan said that they were thrilled to be celebrating 50 wonderful years.
“Over the decades, the club has nurtured athletes who have competed across the Atlantic and even reached the Olympics. Our club has thrived through different committees and challenges, including the trials of Covid, all thanks to the unwavering support of parents, swimmers and the entire community of Tipperary Town.
“The dedication of generations has kept our club strong and thriving. As one of the longest-standing clubs in the area we take immense pride in our history, and in the bright future we continue to build together.
“It has been an incredible journey and we should all be proud to be a part of a club that has stood the test of time, evolving and thriving with each passing generation,” said Edelle.
The building of the Sean Treacy Memorial Swimming Pool, which commenced in 1970 and was officially opened in 1973 by the President of Ireland, Erskine Childers, was a significant development for swimming in Tipperary Town and the wider area.
Dave Moloney was a swimmer with the club in his youth and is now a committee member.
Above: Marlin Swimming Club Novice and Emerging Swimmers at the 50th anniversary celebrations in Tipperary Town
“I remember completing many of the awards (gold, silver and bronze) and lifesaving courses while a member of the club. The role of swimming development and teaching of children was taken on by Dan Hogan, who was responsible for many people being able to swim in that era, a time when opportunities to swim or access to the seaside were not available to many.
“As a competitive swimmer I remember competing in inter-club galas or leagues and travelling to Thurles, Clonmel, Nenagh and to Cork, Waterford and Limerick to take part in Munster galas.
“I am not sure whether galas were invitational at the time, or what was the procedure regarding participation, but I also have medals from galas in Dublin, Roscommon and Ballinasloe.
“Credit must go to Charlie Stafford, who was my swimming coach at the time and must have been well connected. I remember Charlie bringing us to the swimming pool in NIHE Limerick (now the UL swimming pool) for stroke development and training. That pool was much larger than the traditional 25 metre pool. Charlie was without doubt a man ahead of his time.
"Similar to the Tiger Sharks club, the management of the Tipperary swimming pool at the time allowed us to train in the morning, and many a time I rushed home to eat a breakfast before school. An ambition of many swimmers was to swim in the Munster galas and to represent your county in the Community Games. The finals took place every year in Mosney.
“A lot of credit must go to the people who were instrumental in the setting- up of the club in the 1970s, and the many people who have been involved throughout the years, and those who currently ensure that the club remains in existence,” said Dave.
There are 86 girls and 52 boys under 18 and 27 teachers/committee (over 18) in the club.
We join with the community in congratulating Marlin Swimming Club on this significant milestone and wish them the very best of luck into the future.