Andrew Hurley makes a splash at Courtmac rowing regatta

ANDREW Hurley of Bantry Rowing Club won the single scull race in impressive style, ahead of Wexford’s Tom Stafford, at the Offshore Rowing Regatta for FISA class boats held at Courtmacsherry last Sunday.  

Bantry’s rising star, 16-year-old Charlie Lavin, came in third.

Other impressive West Cork performers in this national event include Kilmacsimon’s Laura O’Neill who came second in the ladies’ singles, behind Killorglin’s Jessica Lee. Bantry’s youth policy again shone through with 18-year-old Hannah Murnane coming in a notable fourth.

In the ladies’ doubles, Castletownshend’s Eimear Walsh and Sarah O’Mahony gave an outstanding performance coming in second, sandwiched by two Arklow crews who took first and third in this category.  

The men’s double race was won by the reigning Irish champions New Ross, with the Courtmacsherry duo of Denis Griffin and Stephen O’Leary coming in second.

The two quad categories were won by the reigning Irish champions, Castletownbere ladies and Courtmacsherry men. Ring crews were their nearest challengers in both codes, their men coming in just ahead of Courtmacsherry’s youthful second crew, after an epic battle.

Bantry’s youth policy continued to shine with its U18 men’s crew coming in a creditable fourth in this men’s quad race, just ahead of the Castletownshend crew in fifth.

The U16 junior race was won by Courtmacsherry with Ahakista crews taking second and third places.