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26 Jan 2026
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26 Jan 2026
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Rosenallis NS student Bobbee Friel
A Laois girl has made history as the first primary school student to represent Rosenallis NS at a Leinster swimming competition.
Twelve year old Bobbee Friel from Glenbarrow represented the school at the Leinster Minor schools swimming gala in the National Aquatic Centre on Sunday, January 18.
This year's Gala brought together an incredible 1,012 young swimmers, aged from 9 to 12, representing 264 primary level schools from every corner of Leinster.
Pictured: The Leinster Minor schools swimming gala held at the National Aquatic Centre in Blanchardstown
Rosenallis principal Mr Rory Walsh praised Bobbee for her amazing achievement.
"Bobbee has had a great interest in swimming the last number of years, she was delighted to have been accepted into the Laois Marlins before Christmas," Mr Walsh told the Leinster Express / Laois Live.
"She went through trials and showed that she reaches a brilliant standard. Bobbee is very dedicated to her swimming, and trains for an hour and a half at 6am each Saturday. She travelled to the Leinster gala with her Mam Nicola and her sister Evie, who is also a member of the Marlins," Mr Walsh explained.
"Evie was great in showing Bobbee where things were, and in supporting her through the competition. Bobbee swam in front of a packed-out gallery of over 2,000 people, and we are very proud of her," he said.
Though the school provides students from third class to sixth class with several weeks of swimming lessons through the autumn months, the school has never had a student represent them in a swimming competition before.
Pictured: Bobbee gears up to take part in the 50 metre freestyle
"Like most schools we do offer the traditional sports like GAA and football, but this is a first for us. We are so delighted that Bobbee is doing something she enjoys so much, and that she is doing so well.
"I think Bobbee has paved the way for students in the school who have watched her success, and I expect to see more of our students opt to represent the school in swimming competitions," Mr Walsh said.
"Bobbee is an inspirational young lady with a great talent emerging," the principal finished.
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