Town hopes to host street party for rowers

BY KIERAN McCARTHY

HOPES are high that Skibbereen will host a welcome home party for its World Rowing Championship heroes this Sunday evening.

Provisionally scheduled for 5.15pm on Sunday October 8th, it’s a chance for Skibbereen and beyond to salute its four World Rowing Championship stars that lit up the competition in Sarasota, Florida – and brought more gold back to West Cork.

Paul O’Donovan won gold in the men’s lightweight single sculls to defend his world title, Mark O’Donovan and Shane O’Driscoll took gold in the men’s lightweight pair and Denise Walsh finished sixth in the women’s lightweight single sculls.

The four local heroes – Paul, Mark, Shane and Denise – will take part in a parade, organised by Skibbereen Rowing Club, that will start on Cork Road, make its way up North St, turning on to Main St, before taking to a stage that will be set up there. They are expected to be on stage at 5.15pm where they will then be interviewed about their world championships experience.

Cork’s 96FM are hosting the event with St Fachtna’s Silver Band also involved in what promises to be another celebration of rowing in Skibbereen.

At time of going to press (Wednesday) the event had not been fully confirmed.

Check out Skibbereen Rowing Club’s Facebook and Twitter pages for the latest information.