Olympic bronze medalist Fiona Murtagh was back on the water at the Irish Rowing Championship helping a composite NUI Galway and Galway Rowing Club to gold.
The highlight for the two clubs was delivered on Sunday when they joined forces to compete for the Women's Senior 8+ Championship.
And they delivered the surprise of the championships. Despite having enjoyed only a few training spins, the Galway ladies led from the start of the race.
Murtagh was in the all-important Stroke seat, setting the rhythm for the crew which included Galway RC members Ranya Praxmarar and Evelina Zakarauskaite, who last year won the junior 2- title.
The culmination of the domestic rowing calendar, the National Championships were held in Iniscarra, Co Cork with everyone from Olympic champions to young J14 athletes along with experienced Masters rowers.
Galway RC's large contingent endured a few close calls, with a number of place positions recorded. There was a win for Sean Heaney in the Masters 1X, and a second for Adrian MacCallion, as well as a second for the Masters 4X-.
Galway RC also defended the Women's Junior 18 2- event which they also won last year. Winning their heat, Ranya Praxmarar and Isobel O’Byrne dominated their final from start to finish.
The Women's Novice 8+, who just started rowing earlier this year, also delivered inthe final. A mix of professional people and students who decided to give rowing a try, the crew finished a credible second behind local competitors NUIG, who enjoyed a superb regatta, winning nine titles in all.
The Women's J16 8+ also enjoyed a great race, winning their event in a very close finish, while more success for Galway clubs came from St Joseph's who defended their men's J18 8+ and 4+ events.
