THE IRISH team travels to Brecon in Wales on Friday for the Four Nations Schools International Championship with a goal shared by Scotland and Wales. The common aim of all three is topple England, the dominant force since the competition was instituted.
The first task for Ireland, however, will be to leapfrog over Scotland, who have been regular runners up to England.
The gap between the Irish and the Scots has been narrowing in recent times, in fact, Ireland edged out Scotland for the second spot in 1995 with a lesser haul of points than they attained last year when returning to their accustomed third place.
Performances at the recent Irish Championships proved encouraging. Records were smashed by Chantal Gibney (St Andrew's), Claire Hogan (Maryfield, Dublin), Colin Hedderman (Colaiste Choilm, Cork) and of course Hugh O'Connor, the Ireland and New Ross backstroke and, freestyle star.
O'Connor and Gibney are expected to be Ireland's main morale boosters. In fact, 14 of the team, ranging from junior to senior ranks, have had valuable, experience at this level of competition.
They include: Michelle Burke (Convent of Mercy, Waterford); Niamh Cawley (Mount St Michael, Claremorris); Joy McGlynn (St Mary's, Baldoyle) Karen Marshall (Strathearn School, Belfast); Aisling Curley (Ringsend College, Dublin); Graham Beegan (St Joseph's, Rush) and Der Mahon (CBS Cabra, Dublin). Lee Kelleher, a pupil at Millfield School in England is a grave loss to the Irish challenge a situation that is likely to be redressed for next season.
Meanwhile, David Roche of, New Ross is the only addition to Team 2000 following a review of the squad based on performances at the Leisureland International meet.
Roche's two minutes 22.03 seconds for 200 metres breast stroke also qualifies him for the Junior Europeans in Glasgow next July.
Karen Marshall is left out this time. Having been exam tied did not help her cause, but regaining a place should come relatively easily for her despite the tightening of standards.
Two Atlanta Olympians, Earl McCarthy and Marion Madine, have also failed to regain their places, although it is believed that McCarthy has now retired, Madine intends to carry on swimming until next year's Commonwealth Games at least.
. The plethora of short course swimming pools around the country is being consolidated by the advent of a new chain of health clubs, trading under the "Total Fitness" label and orchestrated by entrepreneur Albert Gubay.
The 25 metre facility at the all purpose Castleknock centre in Dublin is expected to be surpassed by a multi million pound development at Sandyford, Co Dublin.
