Swimmer Lily Cassidy still enjoys her regular dip at Ninety
MONEA woman Lily Cassidy can remember the day she started swimming back in 1981 and fast-forward 33 years she is still going strong, all at the tender age of 90.
While many chose their childhood to learn how to navigate the water, Lily’s route is somewhat unorthodox.
“I didn’t start swimming until I was 68,” explained Lily, “I had a family to rear and I had to work on the farm.
“I used to play bridge, but I thought it was very unhealthy because everyone would smoke at it and I didn’t smoke, so I thought I would do something different so I decided to give swimming a go.”
After raising her nine children and when her husband Kevin died in 1981 Lily took the decision to dip her toes in the water and hasn’t looked back since.
“I used to swim three days a week when I had a car, but I had to get rid of it, I was scared at being on the road at my age, I’m 90 sure.
“I still go every week and sometimes go in at the weekend maybe if one of the family brings me.
I would do up on 20 lengths each time, but I don’t like to overdo it as I worry about my heart at my age.”
When asked if she would be sore the next day after her time in the pool, Lily replied with a resounding no.
“Not at all, I wouldn’t be any the worse, to be honest it has nothing, but a good effect on me and I’m thankful of that. I have no fear, I may not be the perfect swimmer, but I have no ill effects from it.”
While some 25 year olds would struggle to do 20 lengths Lily explained there is no magic formula to swimming at 90.
“I get in and just get on with it. I enjoy it, I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t. What would the like of me do?
“Otherwise I would just be lying in the corner. Some people say they couldn’t swim 20 lengths, but they haven’t tried. I just go in and just swim on and thankfully I’m still able to do it.
“It’s great though the staff in the Forum are brilliant and they never make me feel my age.”
And does she have any plans to pack it in?
“I will keep doing it until I’m called from above.
“Nothing would worry me, I look after myself and live out here in the country.
“I could have got help, but I don’t bother with anyone, I do my own thing: I go shopping, I go to Mass on Sundays, I do the things old people do.”
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