The Athlone Boat Club had a double celebration of two successful former crews with a mass in Coosan Church, Athlone in recent times.
Formally remembered were two past members, Stephen Doran, who passed away in 1970 and Peter Mulvihill who passed in 2012. Fr Declan, who, prior to the mass spent time with some of the crews performed a beautiful oration, and for that, much appreciation was afforded. The members, with mixed emotions, celebrated their former teammates, successes and held their heads high with their proud achievements.
The 1970 Athlone Boat Club Maiden 8, was one of the most successful adult crews in the history of the Boat Club with a total of 11 regatta wins at Fermoy, Waterford, New Ross, Galway, Athlone, Dublin Metropolitan, Athlunkard, Limerick, Carlow and two at Carrick-on-Shannon.
Along with their successes on the water, for the past 50 years, many of the Maiden 8 proceeded to play an integral part of the club by serving as President, Captain, Secretary and PRO, in addition to coaching Junior members, all of whom have made them vastly proud.
Also celebrated at the mass was the 1970 Marist College Junior Schoolboy VIII.
This very successful Junior crew were coached by Sean Flynn and recorded wins at eight regattas, in Carlow, Fermoy, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Athlone, Askeaton and Metropolitan.
The special and unique bond this crew developed remains intact today with five of the members still rowing in a Masters 8.
