County Clare’s Leana Liddane has been creating ripples of success in swimming and surf lifesaving, having recently become a double European champion at the 2023 European Youth Surf Lifesaving Championships.
The 17-year-old represented Team Ireland at the European Youth Surf Lifesaving Championships, which took place from 20-17 August in Poland. She consistently reached the A finals in multiple pool events, breaking three national junior and senior records.
Notably, Liddane became the youngest-ever Irish female athlete to secure double European gold and claim three silver medals in beach competitions. 
What an amazing achievement by past pupil Leana Liddane as she became European Champion at the European Junior Lifesaving Championships that were held in Poland this week. We are all very proud of Leana here in ENS 🥇🥇🥇 pic.twitter.com/kQwhF5z7hm
— Ennis NationalSchool (@ennisns) August 27, 2023
Since last year, Liddane has been adding to her impressive list of accolades. In 2022, she secured a silver medal at the World Surf Lifesaving Championships held in Italy, becoming one of the youngest athletes ever to accomplish this feat.
One event today and world silver medalist in the board rescue at the world surf lifesaving championships in Italy!! Hearty congratulations Leana Liddane!! Way to go!! Making Ireland proud in the global arena!! pic.twitter.com/veGgBZZ8Qu
— Limerick Swimming Club (@LimSwimClub) September 27, 2022
In July, she showcased her talents at the Division 1 Swimming Championships held at Dublin’s NAC. The Limerick Swimming Club swimmer clinched gold in the 50m freestyle and the 4x200m relay, along with securing silver in the 100m freestyle and bronze in the 200m and 400m freestyle events.
Recently, Liddane also competed at the National Surf Lifesaving Championships in Sligo, where she also claimed gold.
With her eyes set on the future, Leana aspires to represent Ireland at the forthcoming World Surf Lifesaving Championships in Australia, scheduled for the next year. Beyond that, she hopes of competing on the Olympic stage in 2028.