Cork crews make their mark at Muckross Head of the river

It was a busy week of rowing for clubs across the country, with Muckross and Carrick on Shannon’s Head of the river both taking place on Saturday. Events went off very successfully and crews were delighted to get out and race after months of winter training.

At Muckross head, the women’s events brought many new participants including a big entry of junior 14 and 15 girls that have recently joined the sport.

A combination of Skibbereen and Lee Rowing Club won the Women’s 8+ which was stroked by Denise Walsh of Skibbereen.

Lee Rowing club also won the junior 8+. Margaret Cremen also representing Lee won the junior 1x, while Cork Boat Club won the Women’s 4+ with New Ross topping the women’s 2x.

In the men’s events, UCC came home first leading the way ahead of reigning Irish champions Commercial Rowing Club, Dublin. Commercial won the Men’s senior & intermediate pair the junior men’s 8+ and the Senior men’s 4-.

In the afternoon, hosting club Killorglin won the men’s club 2 quad while Presentation Boys School won the Men’s club 2 4+ With conditions being reasonably good the event gave crews the opportunity to compete and get out and race, something which is cherished by rowers in the winter months.

On the other side of the country the head of the Shannon took place in Carrick on Shannon, Leitrim, a club synonymous with Olympian of the 80s, Frances Cryan.

The fastest crew of the head was the Men’s quad from Queens University in Belfast with Portora topping the junior men’s quad and junior 16 8+. The Intermediate 8+ was won by Commercial Rowing Club while Kings Hospital College under the coaching of Will Yeomans’ won the women’s Novice 4+.

A total of 265 crews raced on the day and ages ranging from Junior 14 to Masters men and women showing that rowing is a sport for all ages and all categories of competitors. It was another good day for competing, with conditions being calm with little or no wind. Crews rose to the challenge, brushing off the cobwebs and racing the 12-20 minute 3.8km course on the Shannon.

The new Rowing Ireland high performance coaches have been announced, with Dominic Casey taking on the full-time roll.

Casey said: “I am delighted to come on board to the Rowing Ireland team and I intend to give this my very best.” Casey has coached Paul and Gary O’Donovan to Olympic and European success this year in addition to many other Skibbereen rowers such as Mark O’Donovan, Shane O’Driscoll, Emily Hegarty, Denise Walsh, and Aoife Casey.