Courtmac men regain top spot

West Cork crews warm up for Sunday's county finals 

THE battle for the senior men's title swung back in Courtmacsherry's favour in picturesque Castletownshend last Sunday as they won a titanic battle with arch rivals, Kilmacsimon, in South West Rowing's third championship regatta.

In the senior ladies race, there was a major realignment of positions. Kilmacabea, who had won the previous two regattas, were finally caught by both GalleyFlash and Castletownbere. It was a particularly sweet win for the Galley ladies, as they had progressed from third in the first regatta in Glandore, to second in Union Hall, and now finally gold.

The club of the day award went to Kilmacsimon, who won medals in 11 of the 17 races, and raced a crew in every race. They won three gold, five silver and three bronze. Their U18 ladies and junior ladies remain untouchable in West Cork, with three wins each from three regattas. Their veteran men are also blazing a glory-trail of their own, having overtaken Myross in the second regatta, they followed this up with another victory on Sunday.

Ring's great run of gold medals continued this week, with the club winning six.  They were not, however, able to match Kilmacsimon's consistent ability to field in every category, and this ultimately cost them valuable points for the coveted club of the day title that they had won in the previous two regattas.

For Courtmacsherry, the day got off to the best of starts when their U12 girls won gold, possibly a first ever gold in this category for the club. With large numbers having started rowing this year, clubs have had difficulties coming up with their best combination at U12, but Courtmac hit the right note on Sunday. 

Winning the senior and pre-veteran men's races made it a great day all-round for Courtmacsherry, and they continue to pressurise the leaders each week in the U14, U16 boys and junior ladies categories, winning silver again in all three. 

GalleyFlash is another club whose star is on the rise as the season progresses. In addition to their senior ladies and powerful U16 ladies teams, their U14 boys also won gold. Their U12 ladies have also progressed from fourth to third and now to second over the three regattas to-date, as they too seem to be finding the right combinations.

Rosscarbery's U12 boys continue to set the pace with three golds in a row, while their U14 and U16 ladies and U18 men's crews brought home silver medals. This Sunday in Baltimore, starting at 9am, we have the county finals, where the leading boats from east Cork take on the best from the west.