Acrobatic National Championships 2016 Preview

Ahead of the Acrobatic National Championships being held in the UL Sport Arena in the University of Limerick this weekend, we present some of the top contenders in their categories for the Acrobatics titles and trophies on offer.

The competition will be begin on Saturday 7th of May and will finish on Sunday 8^th of May and it should be a storming exhibition of Acrobatic skills!

 *13-19 Women’s group  

A limited field but our spectators are in for a quality routine. This is the highest level of difficulty in the competition this weekend and it is the first national finals that this Gymstars trio of - Sadhbh Quinn, Charlotte Bruce, Tara Doyle Robinson will perform their dynamic routine at.

*12-18 Women’s Pair

The Excel pair of Katie White and Aine Sheehan have represented Ireland at major competitions (World championships and European Championships) and hold numerous National titles and international medals. They have now moved up to the more difficult level of 12 – 18.

*11-16 women’s Pairs

With three international women’s pairs competing for the National title/ FIG trophies, it is perhaps the most competitive FIG category. Zoe Taylor and Ella O’Toole from Excel GC are recently back from representing Ireland in the World Championships in China.  The girls were also on the winning 11-16 Celtic cup team 2015, and have won numerous national medals in this age category.

They will be competing against their team mates from the World Championships in China - Leah Twomey, Aisling Dooley from Ballincollig. They hold the National Title for Grade 4 from 2015.

The third women’s pair of note are Ciara Hickey, Niamh Lucey also from Ballincollig. They too were selected to represent Ireland at recent World Championships in China but had to pull out due to injury.

*11-16 Women’s group

The Ballincollig women’s group of Chloe Corcoran, Ella Valley, and Sophie Sleiman were part of the winning Celtic Cup Team this year. There are some new contenders to this category and amongst those of note are the Wexford group of Egle Baikaite, Orla Butler, Hannah Cleere and the Ballincollig group of Katie Gowen, Aisha Gorey, Sophie Heeley.

*OOA groups

In this category the Ballincollig trio of Anna Twomey, Nicole Geaney, and Laila Ghori will be up against the Clondalkin team made up of Orna Leman, Sophie Toomey and Fiona Tapley.

*Grade 6 Women’s group

The Gymstars trio of Aisling Caldicott, Aoife Prunty and Ellen O Brien have moved up a grade and the girls have pedigree having been selected to represent Ireland at the recent Celtic Cup.

*Grade 6 Mixed Pair 

The standout pair of David Byrne and Aoibhinn Darcy are bronze medal winners for Ireland at the recent Celtic Cup.

*Grade 5 Women’s Pair

Celtic Cup representitives Sarah Mc Cormack, Roisin Heneghan and Orla MC Glinchey from Dynamo will be up against Sive O’Toole, Crea Hickson and Louisa McGovern from the Carlow Grade 5 team that won silver at the ATT 2015. The gold medal winners from the ATT 2015 Grade 4 competition, Alison Doyle, Miar Williams and Abby Mulligan from Gymstars have now moved up a level and will be pushing the more established teams.

*Grade 5 Women’s Pairs

Recent Celtic Cup representitives, Ciara O Leary and Suzie Mc Namee from Ballincollig have international pedigree and silver ware - having won the Gold medal Grade 5 title at the ATT 2015. They will have competition from the 4 other pairs competing in this category.

* Grade 5 Men’s Pairs

Although a limited field, the depth of competition is growing at this level and it’s exciting to have 3 Men’s pairs at this level competing for the National Title.

*Grade 4 Women’s Pair

This has a large entry field and promises to be very exciting.

Gymstars’ Nhan Slevin, Aoibhe Ormonde were  Gold medal Winners at the recent ATT in 2015. They won the NDP trophy for Highest Artistry at ATT and they achieved the highest score for Ireland at the recent Celtic Cup in Jordanstown. Pushing them for the titles / NDP trophies are Claudia Kavanagh and Louise Murphy from Ballincollig.

*Grade 4 Women’s group

Kirsty Nesbit, Abbie Mc Donald Boyle and Eadaoin Mc Carron from Killeevan were part of the team selected to represent Ireland at the Celtic Cup this year.

* Grade 3 Women’s group

As part of the Grade 3 Irish team that secured bronze medal at the recent Celtic Cup, Abby Mc Dermot, Caoimhe Conolly, and Rianne Leyden from Carlow are favourites here. Providing some new competition for the Carlow trio are Erin Haly, Juiliette Blake, Kerri Corcoran from Ballincollig.

* Grade 3 Women’s Pairs

This one has a large entry list and so the title and trophies could go to anyone and makes for an exciting competition amongst the gymnasts and teams!

Remember, the titles and trophies are up for grabs for all competitors, here we have given you a flavour of the competition and a taste of what's on offer… is there anyone missing from this list? Let us know who you think will be a contender this weekend!

See last years video from the weekends action

If you can’t make it to Limerick and you’re on the move make sure to follow all the latest updates and behind the scenes photos on social media on our Facebook Page 'Gymnastics Ireland' our Twitter '@gymnasticsire' and our Instagram '@gymnasticsire’

Keep an eye out tomorrow for our preview of the Trampoline, Tumbling & DMT National Championships!