Ards club swimmer Grace Davison heads list of NI female competitors and support teams honoured at 2024 Swim Ireland awards

NORTHERN Ireland female competitors figured prominently in the 2024 Swim Ireland Awards which took place at Dunboyne Castle Hotel.

European Junior bronze medallist Grace Davison, of Ards, was honoured with the Female Performance Pathway Athlete of the Year for swimming after a fantastic season where she qualified for the Paris Olympic Games, competing in two relays.

Ards’ Curtis Coulter won the Performance Pathway Coach of the Year Award for his work with Grace Davison.

Dearbhaile Brady, from the Limavady club, won the Female Performance Pathway Award for Para Swimming having won World Series and European Championships medals, and making her Paralympics debut finishing an impressive 5th in the 50m Butterfly.

Dubliner Ellen Keane was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Recently retired Keane was honoured for an emphatic career that spanned five Paralympic Games.

Female Water Polo Player of the Year went to Méabh McGurk of Belfast-based Diamonds Water Polo Club. McGurk’s heroics in the Irish Senior Cup Final contributed to the side winning the trophy for the first time.

Ulster’s Catherine Hanratty was among the volunteers honoured for their work within their clubs and regions.

Swim Ireland President Alison Honan dedicated her President’s award to Ulster’s Linda Stoops for her outstanding contribution to the Ulster region over many years.

Speaking at the event Swim Ireland CEO Sarah Keane said: “We are delighted to come together, to celebrate the success of our athletes and to honour those that have helped them to get to where they are. It was fantastic to see so many of our community present to celebrate the most incredible year for Irish Aquatics.”