Every few years Ireland throws up an athlete of outstanding quality, and Longford, which can boast Brendan O'Reilly and Eddie Macken, is in the process of producing a new star.
Those who know their sport say that Siobhan McNally, a shy 15-year-old girl from Drumlish, will one day stand on the podium and pick up a gold medal in the Olympics for Ireland.
Siobhan has already won national and international honours, the latest achievement being the best female swimmer of her age at a tournament of five countries staged recently in Tenerife.
Her record in the baths is impressive. She is currently Connacht Champion in six events and all-Ireland champion in three and has numerous international wins to her credit.
Her favourite stroke, the individual medley or the back stroke, has resulted in her outclassing most of the swimmers of her age in this country.
Not surprisingly the Inter Cert student, who is a pupil at Scoil Mhuire in Longford town, has got a pet nickname from her schoolmates.
She is known as "The Mermaid", a title which will no doubt stick to her for many years to come.
She has also got something which is even more important than a catchy nickname.
She has a sponsor, and as you know, even in these Celtic Tiger days, good sponsors are as scarce as hens' teeth.
Her sponsor is Mapelwood Homes, a Dublin building firm owned by Michael Whelan, a native of Drumlish who is prepared to invest in local pride.
That pride was also expressed last weekend by the local county council which, in one of its last acts before the elections, gave a civic reception for Siobhan.
There to see her receive a special gift of Longford Bog Oak, sculptured by Michael Casey of Barley Harbour, were her parents, Patsy and Marion McNally.
Her achievements have even become an election issue during the campaign, with a Longford councillor, Peter Kelly, asking people to support him in his drive to get a new swimming pool in the town.
He believes, as do many others, that Siobhan, who has been a member of the Longford Swimming Club since she was eight, will eventually bring gold back to the town.