Young Wexford swimmers meet European champions at inspirational training opportunity

Irish swimming stars Mona McSharry, Ellen Walshe and Danielle Hill received a warm welcome in Wexford, when they hosted a swim clinic at the Apex Leisure Centre on Saturday, August 22. Fresh from the 2026 European Swimming Championships in Paris, the three accomplished athletes gave their time to work with local swimmers, share their experiences of competing at the highest level and offer invaluable advice and encouragement. The clinic was designed to inspire the next generation of young athletes, who enthusiastically embraced this opportunity. 'The swimmers had the wonderful opportunity to meet and learn from European champions Danielle, Ellen and Mona - all remarkable women who have done so much for Irish swimming,' said Phyllis Mullins, Chairperson of New Ross Swimming Club. 'They're only back from competing in France, and it's very generous of them to conduct the clinic and offer advice to the swimmers. Their warmth and enthusiasm made it an evening these young swimmers will remember for a very long time,' Ms Mullins added. Champion swimmers Mona McSharry, Ellen Walshe and Danielle Hill visit the Apex in New Ross. Ms Mullins extended gratitude to the team at the Apex for facilitating the event, Apex Chairperson and local Councillor Michael Sheehan for welcoming the accomplished athletes to the town, and Fran Ronan 'for being instrumental in bringing them to New Ross'. The event also showcased the Apex as one of the South-East's leading sports, health and leisure facilities. With its 25-metre swimming pool, fully equipped gym and dedicated fitness studio, the Apex provides an environment in which athletes of every age and ability can train, develop and achieve their goals. 'The professional organisation of the clinic and the warm welcome shown to the visiting athletes reflected the facility's strong commitment to swimming, fitness and the wider New Ross community,' said Apex manager, Mark Winkle. McSharry, Walshe and Hill were presented with flowers from the Apex staff, while members of the New Ross Swimming Club gave them a taste of Wexford with Greenhill strawberries, locally produced granola from Peas and Love, and a selection of other local treats. Thanks were also extended to the New Ross Swimming Club members who were in attendance and participated in the clinic as they made it 'a memorable and inspiring occasion'. Meanwhile, the Ceann Comhairle and Wexford native, Verona Murphy TD has congratulated to New Ross swimmer Evan Bailey, who also competed at the European Swimming Championships. Bailey closed out the final morning of competition in Paris in style when he anchored the men's 4 x 100m medley relay that broke the Irish record. Their combined time of 3:33.74 shaved seven-hundredths of a second off the previous Irish record of 3:33.81, set at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024. 'As a proud Wexford woman, it has been great to watch Evan compete for Ireland on the European stage. Evan deserves huge credit for putting on the Irish cap in Paris — that takes years of hard work and should be a source of real pride,' Deputy Murphy said. 'He's a wonderful role model for young athletes across New Ross and the wider county. On behalf of everyone in Wexford, I want to congratulate him and wish him every success in the future,' she concluded.