The Irish Open Championships and Trials were a great few days of competition

The Irish Open Championships and Trials wrapped up in spectacular fashion after five days of intense competition at the Sport Ireland National Aquatic Centre recently. 

The event, a cornerstone in Irish swimming’s calendar, brought together over 300 swimmers from across the country and beyond, all vying for national titles and coveted spots on multiple international teams.

More than just a domestic showcase, the championships doubled as the official trials for a number of elite international events, including the World Aquatics Championships, the World Para Swimming Championships, and the World University Games. 

Young hopefuls also battled for places on the squads heading to the European Youth Olympic Festival, the European Junior Championships, and the European Under 23 Championships.

Among the standout stories of the meet was that of Phelim Hanley of Blackrock SC. 

Having already posted four European Junior qualification times (EJ QT) earlier in the season, Hanley arrived at the Trials needing to replicate those performances to secure his spot on the National Team. 

Despite suffering a back injury in the lead-up to the competition, the talented swimmer showed impressive grit and determination. 

He opened his campaign with a PB performance at 200m Freestyle and set the tone for a determined week. 

On Day 2, Hanley delivered clocking 57.03 in the 100m Butterfly prelim swim, comfortably inside the qualification standard. With his mission accomplished, he made the strategic decision to withdraw from the semi-finals, allowing his body to recover and focus on the next steps.

Next came the 200m IM, where a slightly off-pace prelim swim left him just outside his best. 

The pressure mounted ahead of the evening semi-final, but a technical fault at the start resulted in a disqualification from the event. 

Refusing to let the setback derail his efforts, Hanley bounced back impressively the following day in the 200m Butterfly, delivering a commanding performance with a time of 2:06.86, dipping under his previous best and securing his second EJ QT. 

With the goal achieved, he again opted to withdraw from the semi-final to manage his physical condition.

On the final day of competition, he took on the 400m IM, narrowly missing the standard in the morning prelim. 

But in the evening final, he rose to the occasion with a gutsy and composed swim, posting a time of 4:39.77, his third JE QT of the week. 

That swim also earned him silver in the Championship final and Junior Gold, capping off an outstanding campaign.

Tadgh O'Brien of Dolphin SC also impressed, hitting an EJ QT in the 400m Freestyle prelims with a swift 4:06.58. 

While slightly off that pace in the final, clocking 4:08.31 for 7th overall, his morning effort was enough to secure consideration for the Junior European Open Water Championships. 

The final was won in dominant fashion by Olympian Daniel Wiffen, who touched in 3:46.87, with O’Brien joined in the final by Alex Barrett of SWSC, who finished 9th. 

O’Brien once again shared the pool with the Wiffen twins in the final evening’s 1500m Freestyle, where he placed 6th overall, as the Wiffen twins claimed the top two podium spots in a thrilling distance showdown.

Another to swim inside the EJ standard prior to the championships was Thomas Bugler of SWSC, who shows real promise in the 100m Butterfly. The 16-year-old swam inside the EJ QT in the semi-final with a strong 56.46, before going on to place 10th in the Championship final and the second-fastest Junior in the field. 

Bugler’s poise and pace across the rounds marked him as one to watch in the seasons ahead. 

Bugler also qualified for the Championship final at 200m Butterfly where a 2:11.62 yielded an 8th place finish behind teammate Alex Barrett in 7th with 2:09.44.

Also making waves was Jack Cassin, who trains under John Szaranek at the National Centre Limerick with a home club base of Dolphin SC. 

Cassin delivered a stellar meet, securing three qualification times for the European U23 Championships in the 200m Freestyle, 100m Butterfly, and 200m Butterfly.

Clare Custer of Sarasota Sharks, Florida, competing with a home base of SWSC, turned heads with two dominant distance freestyle victories. Custer claimed gold in both the 800m and 1500m Freestyle Championship finals, finishing as the top Junior in both events and achieved EJ QT in the process.

The 2025 Irish Open Championships once again underscored the strength of the domestic scene and the depth of talent emerging within Cork swimming. 

young talents like Hanley, Bugler, O’Brien, Cassin and Custer rising rapidly, Cork swimming is well-positioned to make a powerful splash on the international stage.