Merman and Mermaid of Mullaghmore 2016
Setanta's McClean retains his crown while Donegall Diamond's Nuala McGurk is the first woman home.
The 2 kilometer race from Mermaid's Cove to Mullaghmore Harbour in County Sligo took place on Sunday 21 August.
The race had been due to run at high tide on Saturday 20th but, due to concerns over weather conditions, was postponed until the Sunday morning. Happily this did not impact on the preparation of the Setanta swimmers.
Over 30 competitors took to the boats before swimming the 2k home to emerge at the boat club slip-way. Setanta were well represented by R Mc Clean and Chris Callaghan and were joined on the day by Clonard's Paul Armstrong and Donegall Diamond's Nuala McGurk.
Mc Clean came home first overall while McGurk was the first female to finish completing a water polo double. Full results are available.
Senior and junior training resumes in August
Senior training resumes on Tuesday 9 August while Juniors start back on Thursday 25 August
Seniors
Pre-season training for the seniors will resume on Tuesday 9 August, 8.00pm to 9.00pm in the Falls Leisure Centre. The Thursday evening session, 8.30pm to 10.00pm will resume from Thursday 25 August in the Falls Leisure Centre.
In 2016/17 season the seniors will compete in the Irish National League, Division 1. Fixtures for this competition and all national competitions are due to be published within the coming days by Swim Ireland.
Anyone interested in playing this year is welcome to attend - even if it's just to give water polo a go or for a fitness boost.
Juniors
Junior training will resume on Thursday 25 August, 7.30pm to 8.30pm in the Falls Leisure Centre.
Existing and new members are always welcome and why not bring a friend or relative to try it out too!
Registration
Registration forms will be available from Thursday 25 August at the Falls Leisure Centre of by contacting the club secretary. All club members must complete a registration form for the 2016/17 season.
Summer training arrangements
A new training schedule is in place for May to September 2016:
A new training schedule is in place for May to September 2016:
Junior sessions
Thursdays, Falls Leisure Centre, 7.30 to 8.30
- Finishes on 23 June 2016
- Resumes on 25 August 2016
Tuesdays, Falls Leisure Centre, 8.00 to 9.00 (U-16)
- Finished with immediate effect
- Resumes 9 August 2016
Senior sessions
Thursdays, Falls Leisure Centre, 8.30 to 10.30
- Finishes with immediate effect
- esumes on 25 August 2016
Tuesdays, Falls Leisure Centre, 8.00 to 9.00
- Cancelled with immediate effect
- Resumes 9 August 2016
Night at the Races - Club Fundraiser
A Night at the Races fundraiser for Setanta Water Polo Club - 15 April 2016
A Night at the Races fundraiser for Setanta Water Polo Club is being held in Doorsteps at Conway Mill, Conway St, Belfast on Friday 15 April. Doors open at 7.30pm, first race at 8.00pm.
Buy a horse and win a prize
You can contribute in advance by purchasing a horse (£10.00) or a jockey (£5.00). Prizes for wining jockeys include a range of drinks and chocolates. Prices for winning horse owners include:
- Ireland Rugby jersey (size large)
- Ireland Euro 2016 football jersey
- £50 voucher for Shu
- Food and drink hamper
- Voucher for Dante's catering
- 2 x tickets for Christy Moore
If you'd like to buy a horse, sponsor a jockey or find out more, contact us.
Win on the night
On the night, a bar will be open and you'll be able to bet on a series of horse races with all proceeds going towards junior development. There will also be an opportunity to buy a horse in the final race for a chance to win a top prize to be revealed on the night.
The venue
Doorsteps is a great local venue that has agreed to provide the venue and some food for everyone who comes to support the event. The premises are licensed and children are welcome.
Local businesses
If you're a business and you would like to support the event you can sponsor a race for £50.00. We'll print your advert in the race programme and acknowledge your contribution on the night and on facebook and twitter.
If you don't fancy sponsoring a race but would like to donate a prize, please get in touch!
Irish Senior Cup Draw
Irish Senior Cup draw announced along with news that the competition will return to Bangor in 2017
The draw for the Irish Senior Cup was announced today and it sees Setanta placed in a group with North Dublin, Sandycove and St Vincents. Holders Cathal Brugha were placed in a group with Clonard, Half Moon and the winner of the final qualifying tie between Corrib and Drogheda.
While there are no easy games in Setanta's group, the seniors will enter the competition buoyed by encouraging performances in this years MNLD1.
The competition will be played for the first time in the National Aquatic Centre, Blanchardstown, Dublin between Thursday 21st and Saturay 23 April.
Groups in full:
- Group A - Clonard, Half Moon, Cathal Brugha, Corrib or Drogheda
- Group B - Sandycove, Setanta, North Dublin, St Vincents
Bangor to host 2017 Irish Senior Cup
The announcement of the draw for the 2016 Cup was also accompanied by confirmation that Bangor will host the competition in 2017.
Irish water polo's premier competition was last held in the Bangor Aurora Aquatic Complex in 2014. The recently built Olympic sized pool proved to be a fantastic venue for both players and spectators.
The return of the competition to North Down confirms the rotation of the Cup between the NAC in Dublin, the University of Limerick campus and Bangor Aurora Aquatic Complex.