Phoenix rise on national stage

By Stephen Leonard

PHOENIX Gymnastics Club in Tallaght saw a number of their members figure among the medals at the National Apparatus Finals in the University of Limerick recently.

Comhghall Guerrine from Killinarden turned heads at the competition where, at just seven years of age, he finished second overall in a competitive top Under 8 division.

Indeed he emerged first in the Rings, Vault, and PPP while taking silver in the Pommel and third on the Floor.

It was a fine achievement for the young gymnast who, being so young, had to receive special clearance to compete at this level and is eligible to do so again next season.

Only in his first year in the sport, he trains some 24 hours every week.

And all this work is paying off as he also took another National Championship silver in UL back in April when he contested the three disciplines of Floor, Vault and PPP.

He will be one of two members of the club heading to Leeds for a training camp between November 8 and 10.

Also among those representing Phoenix Gymnastics in the National Apparatus Finals was Daragh Conlon who emerged top in the Grade One Pommel.

In Grade Two, Noah McGiven finished first in the Vault with Chris Clarke and Zak Drennan taking third in PP and the Vault respectively.

In the Level Five Under 13 Regionals, Caoimhe Blake finished first in the Vault with Zoe Dunne (Floor) and Elena Mathews Bars) both third.

Chloe Ward won out in the Beam and was runner-up in the Bars and Floor at Level Six Over 13 Regionals while there were third place finishes across the board (Vault, Bars, Beam and Floor) for Caroline Haddock.

Mia Brennan emerged second from the Level Seven Over 13 Regional Bars competition while in Level 8 Over 13 Regionals Tamara Orlovic took third in the Vault and Bars with Katie Hynes top in the Bars, second in the Beam and third in the Floor discipline.

Ruby Muldoon also made her presence felt with a first place finish in Level Eight Over 13 Bars.

Next month will see some 30 club members line out in the National Elite Championships in UL while 140 will travel to DCU for the Gymstart Tournament.

In December, Phoenix will field seven in the Barboka Cup in Poland.