Gibbons wins gold and sets new Irish junior record

EXCITING Athlone swimmer Brendan Gibbons has added further to his growing reputation with sterling performances at last weekend's Irish National Short Course Swimming Championships in Lisburn, Belfast. The 16-year-old, from Garnafailagh, Athlone, returned from the championships with three coveted medals, including gold in the Men's 800m freestyle event. Gibbons also took silver in the 400m freestyle and the bronze medal in the 1500m freestyle. There were also very good showings at the Championships from two of Gibbons' Athlone Swim Team compatriots, Alex Condron and Darragh Joyce. Condron, 16, from Tullamore, won silver in the 200m breaststroke and bronze in the 100 breaststroke, while 15-year-old Joyce, from South Roscommon, won bronze in the 200m breaststroke. It was the scintillating form of Gibbons, though, that truly caught the eye, with the Athlone native setting a new Irish junior record in the 800m freestyle. His coach, Johnny Powell, was thrilled with Gibbons' performances over the weekend. "Brendan produced a very impressive performance in the 800m freestyle, and finished the race a full five seconds inside the old Irish junior record. He was in awesome form at the weekend, and has been for quite some time. You have to remember that Brendan is competing against adults, some of whom are three and four years older." In the 400m freestyle event, Gibbons made a tremendous late effort to win the race. In fifth position with only two lengths remaining, Gibbons looked out of the running for a medal, but a heroic effort late on saw him burst past three rivals to finish second behind Aer Lingus Swimming Club's Conor Turner. Gibbons' fantastic finish also brought him to within half a second of the previous Irish junior 400m freestyle record. With numerous Connacht and national accolades, and an appearance at last summer's European Youth Olympics in Turkey, to his credit, the sky appears to be the limit for Gibbons. Without piling too much expectation on Gibbons' young shoulders, he has made a remarkable impression on the Irish swimming scene over the past couple of years. And there are those predicting Gibbons could be a genuine contender to represent Ireland at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. For now, Gibbons' main focus is on representing his club and country at next summer's European Junior Championships. Johnny Powell said: "Brendan's progress has been fantastic over the last few years, and if he keeps improving and working hard, which I'm certain he will do, then there's no knowing what Brendan can achieve in swimming." Fellow Athlone Swim Team member, Alex Condron, is also in with a decent chance of making next summer's European Junior Championships, "Alex has been with us for several years, and he's really beginning to make his mark. He should have a bright future," said Powell. "Brendan, Alex and Darragh are fine examples to the younger members of Athlone Swim Team, and we look forward to their continued success, both at national and international level," added the Atlhone coach.