Westmeath trio set for European swimming competition
Westmeath will be well represented this year at the European Down Syndrome Swimming Championships by Fintan Bray, Kevin Kennedy and David Hogg.
They follow in the footsteps of Peter Oxley, who has represented Westmeath and Ireland at the European and World Championships for many years. Stephen Walsh was unable to compete this year. Stephen has represented his country proudly at previous European and World Championships. He will be back in action for the World Championships in Turkey next year.
Kevin and David are very excited to be called up to compete for their country at their first European Championship. They are supported by Fintan, who has travelled to European and World championships on several occasions in the past.
Fintan, speaking before he travelled, feels quite confident of bringing home a medal and repeating his success from the World Championships last year. He has really upped his training this year.
He trains in the 50m pool in UCD under head coach Niall, with David and Kevin and the rest of the 12 swimmers on the Irish squad heading to Sardinia. He also trains up to four days a week between Trim and Clongowes Wood College.
David is 17 years old and joined the Irish Down Syndrome swimming team in May 2018. When asked about the upcoming trip, he said he was really looking forward to representing Ireland at the European Championships in Sardinia.
David is member of the Shoot ‘n’ Stars Special Olympics Swimming Club and Mullingar Jets Swimming Club. David and his family would like to commend and extend their thanks to the Jets coaches who have instilled great confidence in him as a swimmer, in addition to Down Syndrome Team Ireland coaching team.
Outside of swimming, he is a keen supporter of St Loman’s GAA and St Oliver Plunkett’s Hurling Club, and loves music and dance.
Kevin is 20 years old, and he is completing a three-year course in Athlone NLN. Kevin joined the Irish Down Syndrome swimming team this year and he is very excited about competing in the European Championships in Sardinia this September.
He trains three times a week with Mullingar Jets Swimming Club. Kevin works in Chocolate Brown café every Monday, and in his old primary school on a Friday morning. He loves music, especially Nathan Carter, and also plays traditional music on his banjo with his brothers.
The three Westmeath lads are wished all the best as they fly out to Sardinia on Sunday September 15.