Making Athlone proud, the athletes of the Athlone Boat Club brought home gold for a number of events in the historic Limerick Regatta.
The morning started early at Limerick regatta for the Junior Ladies 16 double scull rowing team. This heat was one of the first events of the day, which saw Anna O’Grady and Riona Cunningham comfortably take a win which progressed them to the final which was held later in the day. As with their heat, the two young rowers showed grit and determination from the very start. A four-boat race very quickly placed two boats out front but it was the superior rowing skill, strength and focus from these two rowers which saw them pull clear in the last stages of the race to take a credible win. Having delivered an impressive row in her heat, Anna O’Grady was presented with a strong line-up for her final of the sculls event.
From the very start of the race Anna was in full control, her skill at mastering her boat drew an incredible line down the course. It was not long into the race that Anna started to pull clear from her opponents and any challenge they might present. From the half way mark, Anna was in full control of her race but as always, she continued to challenge herself with her delivery of performance and left a very impressive clear water win with her nearest opponent 100 meters back.
The Oct had a tremendous race. Getting off to a controlled start, the crew settled into 2nd place to exceptional crew from Enniskillin. It wasn’t long into the race when the eight girls from Athlone stated to take control and with some powerful sets rowed through their opposition to take the lead. It was in the last 200 Meters of the race where the through grit came through. After some clinical calls by Cox, Ciaran Starken, the crew increased their rate and power to pull away from their opponents and leave clear water between both to give them an impressive win.
Club captain Nick Friel stated, “These young rowers put in massive shifts on and off the water weekly.
“They do this for their club but also their town and they are proud to represent our town at regattas. They go the length and breadth of the country to bring back more success for our club with great determination and dedication.
“This is only the start of the season for the club, we look with great optimism to what is in store for us this regatta season.”
In the men’s master’s event on the Sunday, Emmet Cronin won comfortably in his event to take gold for Athlone. Emmet has mastered the art of rowing in recent years and continues to show great progression as a master’s sculler. The club would like to thank all coaches, parents and volunteers who make each event memorable.
