By Daniel Noble
COMMONWEALTH Games medallists Bethany Firth and Barry McClements were honoured by Ards Swimming Club with a reception in Blair Mayne Leisure Centre on Friday night.
Six-time Paralympic champion Firth got Northern Ireland off the mark at the Glasgow games, securing the team’s first medal with a bronze in the women’s S14 200m freestyle.
Medalling for the first time since becoming a mother in 2024, the 30 year-old built on a strong showing in the heats to record a time of 2:07:63, just behind English duo Georgia Sheffield (2:06:07) and Poppy Maskill (2:07:44).
McClements travelled to Glasgow aiming to better his performance from Birmingham four years earlier, when he became the first Northern Irish medallist in Commonwealth swimming history, claiming bronze.
The 24 year-old’s ambitions rang true as he moved up a place on the podium, clinching a silver medal, and he was a mere 0.68 away from a gold, finishing narrowly behind Australia’s Timothy Hodge.
Marking double-medal success, Ards Swimming Club welcomed junior and senior members, their families and local representatives Mayor Craig Blaney, councillor Steven Irvine and councillor Richard Smart to Friday’s reception.
Firth, McClements and Ards head coach Curtis Coulter took centre stage, speaking on their
achievements and offering words of encouragement for the club’s young swimmers.
Firth, who is well-accustomed to medalling at the top level, expressed her pride in being
honoured and what it could mean to those in attendance.
“There’s always something really special about the Commonwealth Games because you’re competing for Northern Ireland. It’s such a small community, but that shows how well our sportspeople are doing,” she said.
“You put so many hours into going up and down the pool that you sort of forget about the repercussions of getting a medal. Everyone has come out to celebrate, and they’re all of different ages, so I really hope it inspires more people to come through.
“A night like this shows how everyone gets behind each other and how we’re all supported.”
McClements, meanwhile, highlighted how the club celebration enhanced the experience of his Commonwealth success.
“It means a lot to be honoured here tonight. When you’re at the competition, it’s almost underwhelming because, once you get your medal, that’s it over. You’ve worked many years to get to that point, and it’s all over within a few minutes.
“To come home and have this celebration after a month or so, it just adds that extra sense that it was all worth it.”
Coulter, a two-time Commonwealth swimmer and member of the Team NI coaching set up, drew on the importance of honouring such sporting achievements.
“Sometimes as an athlete, you feel a wee bit isolated, especially in an individual sport like swimming, and you feel like you’re doing it solely for yourself,” he stated.
“The celebration of their achievements should hopefully keep these guys motivated because it provides them with a feeling of being appreciated, knowing that their club is behind them. It’s also positive for know that they’re motivational figures.
“Tonight allows us to give something back to Bethany and Barry, keeping them motivated and giving them a more lighthearted night to celebrate.”
Ards’ success at the Commonwealth Games was further boosted by another four club swimmers, Victoria Catterson, Grace Davison, Paddy Johnston and Ellie McCartney, competing as Team NI representatives.
Coulter explained how much it meant for the club to have a total of six members swimming in Glasgow.
“Walking through the door on day one and standing alongside six swimmers who have come through our doors and developed with our club was an inspiration.
“Seeing the guys progress through the rounds was absolutely fantastic.
“For them to get in and have strong swims against many international swimmers, it made all the dedication and sacrifice worth it. For many of the guys, this is the highlight of their careers.”
