Five young divers from Ayr have helped Scotland secure top spot at this year’s Celtic Cup diving competition.

Local medallists, Roy McGuinness, 12, Charlotte Kelly, 15, Lindsay Scott 15, Paul McGuinness, 16, and Kerr Cruickshank, 15,  became interested in the sport through South Ayrshire Council’s Learn2 Dive programme, a partnership between the council and Ayr Diving Club, based at the Citadel Leisure Centre in the town.

The competition took place in Bangor, Northern Ireland and featured teams from Scotland, Wales and Ireland. The Scotland team dominated throughout most of the two day event, taking the spoils in most age groups and categories.

The annual tri-nations diving competition has gone from strength to strength since its inception 4 years ago and has become an important feature on the Scottish Diving calendar.

Cllr Bill Grant, Economic Development, Tourism and Leisure Portfolio Holder for South Ayrshire Council said: “I would like to congratulate the team and specifically the youngsters from Ayr on their remarkable achievements. I am sure when they started the Learn2 Dive programme they could only dream of competing at a national level.  “I would like to thank the volunteers and parents who give endless support to the club and competitors. There are plenty of other Learn2 initiatives from gymnastics to athletics, so get involved and who knows you could end up competing for Scotland too”

Ayr coach Peter Smith was delighted with his divers’ performances, commenting “All of the Ayr divers really raised their game and rose to the challenge, most of them putting in personal best performances. As a coach you can’t really ask for more than that.”

The venue for the Celtic Cup rotates every year around the 3 competing nations, with next year’s Cup venue still to be confirmed.

Roy McGuinness – 1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze and 4th place

Charlotte Kelly – 2 silver, 1 bronze and one 4th place

Lindsay Scott – 1 silver, 2 bronze and one 5th place

Paul McGuinness – 1 bronze, 4th place and two 5th places

Kerr Cruickshank – 5th place, two 6th and an 8th place