Athlone Boat Club recorded a large number of wins at the Carrick On Shannon regatta this past bank holiday weekend.
The club recorded wins for junior boys, girls and wins for the masters men. In the single scull events at junior 14 level, taking home gold were Ella Colsh and Jessie Bolger, while at junior 15 level Anna O’Grady and Riona Cunningham put in two great races to also take home gold for Athlone.
Sophie Reynolds and Sophie Gethins along with Ella Colsh and Jessie Bolger. also record wins in the junior 14 double scull events, while at junior 15 level Anna O’Grady and Riona Cunningham collected gold. To finish off a great day of racing for the junior 14 girls – Ella Colsh, Sarah Hand, Jessie Bolger and Sophie Reynolds with cox, Ava Warby, put on a great display of rowing to power home with a coveted finish.
At junior 15 level, Anna O’Grady, Cara Egan, Ayla Kirt Eli and Riona Cunningham, with cox Ella Colsh cut it close and earned a second placed finish. This had to be the race of the day for the club as it was the sixth occasion on which the new combination of junior 15 girls rowed together due to the age change introduced by Rowing Ireland in May. These girls lead all the way but were unfortunately beaten by a bow ball by Sligo.
In the men’s masters double event Alan Kenny and Paul Gallen beat City of Derry and Offaly RC to take home the gold medal.
The junior 14 and 15 boys also put in a great day of racing claiming gold in many events. They completed a clean sweep at this regatta and were victorious in all races which they entered.
There was a single scull event win for Ruairi Dolan in the boy’s junior 14 event, while in the boy’s junior 14 and 15 double scull events Athlone record wins by Evin Claffey and Ciarain Starken and George Mhitarjans and Ruairi Dolan. The final race of the day for Athlone Boat Club saw the junior 15 boys of Ruairi Dolan, George Mhitarjans, Evin Claffey and Ciarain Starken, coxed by Cara Egan win gold.
This was the final regatta of the season which was one to remember for the club. Having fully returned to training after Covid-19 restrictions and to win at so many events throughout the country showed the dedication from these young rowers. The new season will start soon for the club with training to return in mid-September.
Golf Classic
This year’s golf classic at Athlone Golf Club was sponsored by Brendan McEnroe and Padraig Molloy on the August Bank Hoilday Monday. A large number of golfers took to the fairways on a wet and windy day at Hodson Bay. In what is a yearly event for Athlone Boat Club, president Paul Donovan would like to thank all golfers, committee members and event organiser, Benny Dunne for what was a great event for the club. A special thanks to our sponsors and Athlone Golf Club for hosting the event.
Rowing for Ireland
This past year, junior rower Zach Meegan, has been training with the Irish Rowing Union in Cork. He had attended a number of camps during the year to establish his position to row for Ireland. Zach, who put in a great year of rowing, demonstrated this great ability by being selected to row for Ireland in Spain at Coupe de la Jeunesse.
Speaking with the club captain Nick Friel about this remarkable achievement of being selected for Ireland, Nick noted that “being selected to row for Ireland is an outstanding achievement, it is one which Zach will look back on with great pride. The club is extremely proud of what he has done and Athlone Boat Club for two consecutive years has represented Ireland on the international stage”.
The highlight of the selection for Zach was going to Spain and taking home two gold medals in the double scull events with his rowing partner Shane Rafferty of St Michaels Rowing Club. All at Athlone Boat Club would like to congratulate Zach on this remarkable achievement for the town. He certainly has made his club and family very proud.
