Mullingar Harbour Canoe Polo Club take two national titles
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National Club Champions, Women’s division, Caitriona MacDonald, Neda Insodaite, Molly Swanson, Amy Garvey, Lara Heffernan, Sophie Temple, Aine Heffernan, Ana Swanson, Chloe Johnston, Lilly Watters, Grainne Heap, Caoimhe Bennett, Emily Gallagher.Image 2 of 7
Club Champions, Neda Insodaite, Caitriona MacDonald, Granen Heap, Molly Swanson, Aine Heffernan, Ana Swanson.Image 3 of 7
Club Champions, Amy Garvey, Chloe Johnston, Sophie Temple, Lilly Watters, Emily Gallagher, Lara Heffernan, Caoimhe Bennett.Image 4 of 7
Division 3 Champions, James Whyte, Joshua Johnston, Dylan Battle, Ardan Kerrigan, Josh McDonnell, Oran Flynn, Henry Kerrigan, Finn O’Sullivan, Glyn Johnston.Image 5 of 7
More than 100 canoe polo matches played over the weekend.Image 6 of 7
Division 3 team after winning the national final, Joshua Johnston, Henry Kerrigan, Oran Flyn, Josh McDonnell, Glyn Johnston, Ardan Kerrigan, Finn O’Sullivan, Dylan Battle.Image 7 of 7
Mullingar in action against Kilcock.Mullingar Harbour Canoe Polo members won women’s and division 3 Irish titles when they hosted the National Club Championships at Mullingar Harbour last weekend.
Twenty two teams from around Ireland took part and Mullingar secured gold, silver and bronze in different divisions.
The club had their highest number of women players at the tournament, testament to years of hard work by volunteers, coaches and players. Mullingar W1 took bronze in the Mixed division 2 and Mullingar W2 were fourth in division 3 against all mixed/men’s teams, an achievement that set up an all Mullingar Women’s final. In that, W1 won the gold and W2 the silver.
Visitors Polo Mints were also outstanding in the open division and took third in the women’s division.
Mullingar 3 boys took gold in division 3 after a great final against a tough Kilkenny team.
The division 1 men’s teams came fifth and sixth in the club’s first year to have two division 1 teams. Most of the Mullingar 2 team competed in division 1 for the first time.
They enjoyed good games against experienced teams and were close to making the semi-final.
Club chairperson Ivan McDonald said: “Well done everyone who took part, and volunteers and coaches who work with our players to develop them as team players.
“The harbour in Mullingar is such a fantastic national location and has become the centre for the biggest events in this sport. This year we had 22 teams from around Ireland, north and south, take part.”
Ivan said the club first hosted the National Club Championships in Mullingar in 2019, “when our club had just started and we have come a long way!”.
They now have more than 100 members and are winning national titles. “But it’s not all about winning – members develop a lot of skills in communication, teamwork and leadership by playing this sport.
“We are especially proud of our women’s group. Over the years, we have run numerous ‘Girls on Water’ beginner programmes in partnership with Westmeath Sports Partnership and Canoeing Ireland, and we are proud of all their achievements.
“This year we have four girls from our club on the Ireland U21 team and our club were crowned National Women’s Club Champions for the first time.”
Explaining the sport to the uninitiated, Ivan added that canoe polo is like basketball played in kayaks on water.
“We train Mondays Wednesday and Friday evenings, and Sunday mornings for anyone wanting to come along and have a look.”
The club are looking for beginners aged 9-14 to take part in upcoming courses; message 086 2446220 for details, or on Facebook.
RESULTS
Women’s division
1st Mullingar Women 1
2nd Mullingar Women 2
3rd Polo Mints
Men’s division
1st Ulster
2nd Kilkenny
3rd WWKC
Division 2
1st WWKC
2nd Cork Otters
3rd Mullingar Women 1
Division 3
1st Mullingar Men3
2nd Kilkenny Aqua Canoe Club
3rd Cavan Cobras