Mullingar duo win at Down Syndrome Championships

Regan Kelly

Jets members and proud Westmeath men, David Hogg and Kevin Kennedy, have done their country proud at the eighth annual European Down Syndrome Swimming Championships in Albufeira.

The lads represented their country proudly, both taking home Bronze in different categories, and those medals are now added to an already impressive catalogue for David and Kevin so far in their careers.

Westmeath’s champion swimmers took time out of their busy schedule to speak to the Examiner, prior to training at Mullingar Jets hub at the town swimming pool.

When asked what the trip was like, David said: “It was a great experience to go and represent my country and come home with three medals; it was an achievement.

“It was a good experience to see that and come home to see all my friends and family celebrating with me.”

Kevin added: “The same as David, for me, it was a great experience, and it was nice to see the support of my friends and family around me.”

The lads have been training hard all year for the championships, and all of their hard work paid off.

When asked about the training, Kevin said: “Every Monday we would come in here and do a two-hour session on Monday, and then on the rest of the week, maybe Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

“These are all two and a half hours, and then on top of that, there were two hours on Sunday morning.”

The lads were then asked what their plans are for the future, to which Kevin said: “We want to go on to the World Games next year in Portugal once again, that is our aim.”

Mullingar Jets Coach and Coach for Kevin and David, Paula Mulcahy, praised the lads as great ambassadors for the club.

She said: “Our ethos has always been to be all inclusive, and it doesn't matter what that looks like. If you want to be here and swim, there is a place for you, and that is always what we have been about,” Paula concluded.