Jessica Purcell and Paul Mulvehill Win 104th Dublin City Liffey Swim
Jessica Purcell of Aer Lingus Swim Club and Paul Mulvehill of Aer Lingus Masters Swim Club have won today’s races at the 104th Dublin City Liffey Swim, as 272 swimmers completed the historic swim hosted by Swim Ireland and Dublin City Council.
For over a century, the Dublin City Liffey Swim has been the pinnacle of the open sea season. Today’s race provided an unforgettable experience for competitors with spectators lined all along the river in stunning sunshine.
Lord Mayor of Dublin James Geoghegan was on hand to open the races ably assisted by Irish swimming Olympians Erin Riordan and Shane Ryan, starting at Rory O’More Bridge near Guinness Brewery gate. The swimmers then travelled up the Liffey passing under eleven bridges finishing at North Wall Quay before The Custom House.
Purcell was the first woman home in an incredible win. The 16-year-old was the scratch swimmer, the last to start her race in the handicap system used for the race, starting 17 minutes 15 seconds after the first swimmer to go. Purcell tore through the Liffey in a winning time of 30.39, the first scratch winner in ten years. The Aer Lingus swimmer also won the fastest time prize and under eighteen prize.
Purcell was followed home by her team-mate and friend Sarah Coughlan in 35.14 and Half Moon’s Brona Dunne on 37.25.
A delighted Purcell said ‘Amazing, I was going ok at the start, and I felt a bit lonely as no one was around me, under the bridges I just closed my eyes and tried not to look, I didn’t want to look at all because it was pitch black and I thought I’d see some rats! And then I started to catch up with people, my arms were aching, my legs were so sore, but I kept going and came first. ‘
NAC Masters won the ladies team prize
In the Men’s race Paul Mulvehill won in 33 minutes 43 seconds. The Aer Lingus Masters swimmer started on 4 minutes 15 seconds and moved through the field in front of him, taking the lead at the Rosie Hackett Bridge which he never relinquished.
Mulvehill spoke after the race ‘I just can’t believe it to be honest, I thought there was a few people in front of me still, I can’t believe it. Great, delighted. The first half I was kind of finding my way through it and then I don’t know I was eating up a few alright and then there was fewer and fewer swimmers in front of me and I just tried to go as hard as I could for the last quarter. Going through the line I was looking around going there must be somebody else, but there wasn’t so, I can’t believe it, honest to God, I’m shocked’
Templeogue’s Neil Bolger won the fastest time prize in 26 minutes and 8 seconds, North Dublin’s Luca Rohan won the U18 prize in 37.58 while Aer Lingus Masters won the Men’s team prize.
Swim Ireland CEO Sarah Keane, who took part in the race herself, spoke afterwards ‘What a wonderful day to bring our community together. We could not have delivered today’s race without the amazing support of our volunteers and partners, it was a real team effort. Congratulations to Jessica and Paul and all those who competed, we look forward to seeing everyone again next year.’
Swim Ireland would like to thank everyone that made the 104th Liffey Swim a huge success including Lord Mayor of Dublin James Geoghegan, Dublin City Council, Dublin Fire Brigade, Aquiline, City Kayaks, Malahide Swords Canoe Club, NOC and MC Consultants, O’Haras, Coca Cola and our amazing, volunteers, members and swimmers. Thank you also to those that lined the Liffey cheering on the swimmers.
104th Dublin City Liffey Swim Results
Women:
1st Jessica Purcell Aer Lingus SC 30.39
2nd Sarah Coughlan Aer Lingus SC 35.14
3rd Brona Dunne Half Moon 37.25
Fastest Time Jessica Purcell 30.39
U18 Prize Jessica Purcell 30.39
Team Prize NAC Masters (Sandra Carwood, Caroline Lougheed, Melissa Corbally, Monica Bermejo)
Men:
1st Paul Mulvehill Aer Lingus Masters 33.43
2nd Declan Cahalane Aer Lingus Masters 34.38
3rd Volodymyr Popovych Guinness 39.05
Fastest Time Neil Bolger 26.08
U18 Prize Luca Rohan North Dublin 37.58
Team Prize Aer Lingus Masters (Paul Mulvehill, Declan Cahalane, Cathal Slew, Geoff Duff)
Full Results: 104th Dublin City Liffey Swim 24 – Core Timing
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