Larne Swimming Club’s ‘Taster’ Swim Programme got under at The Valley Leisure Centre in Newtownabbey recently.

The programme, with the support of Sport NI, runs for a period of eight weeks. The concept of the scheme is to show young, local swimmers what the next possible progression is like in the world of swimming.

Training elements focus on: stroke technique in all four strokes; increasing aerobic fitness; and highlighting the fact that regular training can help with physical wellbeing and self-esteem. The emphasis is on having fun and enjoying the training experience, whilst hopefully encouraging young people to choose sport as a means to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

The programme invited applications from all sections of the local community and with such high numbers applying, the club was delighted to be able to accommodate every applicant. The support of Newtownabbey Council and the staff at The Valley was critical in this and Larne Swimming Club are very grateful for the flexible and generous nature of their support.

Neil Irvine, coach of Larne, commented: “The response from the local swimmers was tremendous. Sessions are very well attended and it makes all the hard work preparing and running our ‘Taster’ programme all worthwhile.

“We really hope the young swimmers enjoy the training experience and include some fitness training whatever the form, after the completion of our programme.”

The programme began on February 7 and runs each Tuesday and Saturday, culminating with a fun Time-Trial Gala on the Saturday, March 31.

If you would like to learn more about Larne Swimming Club or consider joining the club, please visit www.larneswimmingclub.org.

BALLYCLARE Ladies Hockey Club are through to the McConnell Shield final after they defeated Dungannon 2-1 on Saturday.

Suzanne Dickey and Vicky Milligan got the goals that booked their progress to the showpiece match.

On a bitterly cold afternoon the game was punctuated by hail and sleet showers, but both teams battled on gamely, with both ‘keepers having to be at their best.

Jessica West and Kerrie Bell had early shots on target but it was Dickey who opened the scoring from close range.

Emma Patterson back from injury and Ruth Sutherland were stalwarts in defence, but the ‘Gannon girls equalised when Sara Coulter was beaten by a firm shot.

The pace never slackened in the second session during which Rebekah Mills, Tori Wallace and captain Caroline Darragh gradually got on top in midfield, leading to Milligan netting the winner when she rattled the backboard.

Ballyclare Ladies panel: S Coulter, R Sutherland, J Purdy, C McGookin, L Ashcroft, T Wallace, C Darragh (C), R Mills, S Dickey, K Bell, V Milligan, J West, S Roy, J Jones.

Derek McGarrity and navigator James McKee claimed victory at the opening round of the 2012 Carryduff Forklift MSA Northern Ireland Rally Championship on Saturday.

The Glengormley rally car driver was in dominating form at the Magic Bullet Stages Rally, held at County Down’s Kirkistown Race Circuit.

Driving his Subaru Impreza WRC S14, McGarrity led the event from start to finish, eventually claiming the win by 38.3 seconds from Kevin Barrett and Declan Tumilty.

The event winner was on the top of his game from the start. While others struggled in the early morning slippery conditions, McGarrity emerged from stage one with an impressive 15.4 second lead.

Those in trouble included reigning NI champion, Kenny McKinstry. The Banbridge pilot spun and stalled his Subaru during the opening test, losing a mammoth 50 seconds.

Former champion Connor McCloskey was another in trouble after a wrong tyre choice left him slipping and sliding around the track. Both McKinstry and McCloskey found themselves outside the top 30, and their hopes of challenging for victory were ruined.

Event leader McGarrity already had a healthy cushion between himself and his rivals, but he continued to set the pace throughout the day. He went on to set fastest times on all but one stage, leaving him with another Kirkistown victory under his belt.

Kevin Barrett and Declan Tumilty were the image of consistency throughout the event. They held second overall from start to finish, gradually increased the gap between themselves and the remainder of the pack as the day progressed.

In the tussle for third, Ray Brammer and Derek McGeehan locked horns. McGeehan took first blood, moving his Mini WRC into the top three after stage one. But Brammer fought back, and two stages later, it was the Impreza WRC pilot that occupied third overall.

McGeehan and navigator Laurie Smyth were to have the last word though. They picked up their pace through the final two tests to retake the position and claim third overall. Brammer and navigator Jody Wilson finished less than five seconds adrift in fourth.

Reigning champion McKinstry, who had Martin Cairns calling the notes, enjoyed a superb recovery drive after his stage one problems to take fifth overall. But unfortunately for former champion Connor McCloskey, car troubles forced him out of the rally after stage four.

In the battle among the production category crews, Trevor Ferguson and David McElroy secured the award from Neil and Tanya McCance, while top two-wheel-drive honours were sealed by Drew Stewart and David White. They finished 25 seconds ahead of Simon Woodside and Steven Dowds.

The Ireland team to play Italy in the RBS 6 Nations Championship at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday has been named and coach Declan Kidney has opted for an unchanged lineup.