Calasantius College, Oranmore won the Connacht Schools Team Sailing Championships held in Galway at the weekend.
The winning team of Rian Conboy, Cian Walsh, Cormac Furey, Rebecca Mullins, Jenny Carberry, Eoin Breen and David Carberry will now represent the province, along with teams from St Joseph’s and St Enda’s, at the ISA National Championships in Schull next month.
The Oranmore school took the title from favourites and last year’s champions Rice College of Westport who were out in force to defend the title. However they were knocked out after the first 15 races. Also in action from Galway were The Bish, St Enda’s, and Scoil Chuimsítheach Chiaráin, Carraroe.
The championships, sponsored by Yachtsman Euromarine and organised by Bow Waves Marine School, were officially opened by Minister of State for Training and Skills, and Galway TD Ciaran Cannon.
“Here in Galway we are so lucky to be surrounded by water. Our young people need to be exposed to such leisure sports as sailing at an early age so as to cultivate a passion and respect for a healthy lifestyle and enjoyment of our waterways. Bow Waves provides an extensive portfolio of high quality marine training to all ages and I commend them for their efforts in developing the Connacht Championships here in Galway and all the efforts they are making for schoolgoers to get involved in sailing,” he said.
