The seventh annual Boyne Swim took place on Saturday, 10th September, with the biggest entry ever of 270 swimmers taking part on the day. It was a beautiful sunny day with excellent weather conditions, and the River Boyne was in excellent condition for the race. Competitive swimmers came from all corners of the country for the 2.7km swim, which is now a race of distinction on the national open water swim calendar. For many competitors, this swim was their ninth qualifying swim for the upcoming Liffey swim and, therefore of huge significance. Some travelled from Donegal the evening before and overnighted in the town before taking part; others were on the road from 6 am that morning!
Ray Donagh of the Boyne Swim Committee said, ‘This swim has now joined the elite group of city swims in Ireland and over the seven years has really become a big deal on the National open water swim calendar, attracting a wider audience each year. It is great for Drogheda and for the sport of open water swimming’.
Huge numbers of spectators, families and friends cheered on the swimmers the whole way from the starting point at mell to the finish line at the Boyne Fisherman’s Headquarters on Marsh Road. The atmosphere was buzzing with everyone waiting for their heroes to come into view.
Swim 2022 Trophy Pic (l-r) Female Winner Charlotte Reid, Male Winner Donncha O Saidhail, Overall Winner (Junior Male) Finn O’Neill, Junior Female Winner Caoimhe Doyle
Representatives from Drogheda Port Company and Drogheda Triathlon Club presented each of the overall winners with the iconic Drogheda Port perpetual trophies, and the category winners was as follows;
Overall Winner Finn O’Neill, ESB Swim Club, with a time of 31.30 mins, Finn at only 18 years old, is still classified as a junior. His mother, Edwina Kelly, who was proud as punch is actually a native of Duleek Street in Drogheda.
- Overall Male Winner Donncha O Siadhail, Meath Master Swim Club with a time of 32.50 min
- Overall Female Winner Charlotte Reid, Aer Lingus Swim Club with a time of 35.30 mins
- Overall Female Junior Caoimhe Doyle, Drogheda Swim Club with a time of 35.47 mins
Gold, silver and bronze medal winners were presented in the many individual categories, two of which were a Drogheda Swim Club hat-trick!
The beauty of the Boyne, the stunning Ronan Halpin trophies and the prestige and challenge of the race itself has earned the Boyne Swim the reputation of being one of the best open water swims organised in the country.
The event was organised by the Drogheda Triathlon Club with the assistance of the untiring support from local volunteer groups such as the Red Cross, Boyne Fisherman’s, Drogheda Fire Service, the Coast Guard and the volunteer kayakers.
