GLANDORE Harbour was the place to be as the first round of the Celtic Ross Hotel South West Rowing Championship burst into life in glorious sunshine, with host club Rosscarbery Rowing Club delivering a phenomenal day of racing both on and off the water.

BY HANNAH CONNOLLY

Ballinacurra Rowing Club enjoyed a fantastic day on the water, with many young rowers making their championship debut. It was wonderful to see so many new faces taking to the water and becoming part of the rowing community. The future is certainly bright for this growing club.

Castletownbere Rowing Club impressed throughout the underage categories, claiming victories in both the U14 and U16 ladies races, while also securing second place in the U18 women’s race. Their U14 women were narrowly outside the medals after another strong performance.

Courtmacsherry Rowing Club had crews competing across both adult and underage categories and came away with an excellent set of results. The club secured four second-place finishes in the U16 ladies, masters women, U14 and novice men’s races, while also collecting third-place finishes in the senior women, masters men and novice women categories.

Dunmanway Rowing Club also had a successful outing, with their underage rowers putting in excellent performances. Their U12 ladies secured a fantastic second-place finish in a thrilling race, while their U12 crew narrowly missed out on medals to finish in an impressive fourth place.

Thomas Burchill from Kilmacabea Rowing Club being presented with the Club of the Day plaque.

Galley Flash Rowing Club enjoyed a hugely successful day, their senior women captured gold following a thrilling contest, while the club also secured second-place finishes in the U14 ladies, veteran women, pre-veteran women, intermediate women, veteran men and pre-veteran men races. Their U18 crew added another medal to the tally with a third-place finish.

Kilmacabea Rowing Club produced an exceptional performance throughout the day and were deserved winners of the highly sought-after Club of the Day trophy. The club claimed victories in the veteran women, masters women, pre-veteran men and masters men categories, while also finishing second in both the senior mixed and senior men races. Their pre-veteran women added another medal with a third-place finish.

Kilmacsimon Swimming and Rowing Club also enjoyed a superb day, collecting four gold medals in the U18 ladies, U18, senior mixed and highly competitive senior men races. Kilmacsimon also secured second place in the masters men category and third-place finishes in the U12, U14, U16, veteran men, pre-veteran men and intermediate men races.

Kilmacsimon Quay Rowing Club had another excellent championship outing, claiming victories in the pre-veteran women, intermediate women, veteran men and intermediate men races. The club also dominated the newly-introduced novice categories, winning both the novice men’s and novice women’s races. Kilmacsimon Quay also secured second place in the senior women’s race.

JJ McCarthy and Kaitlin McCarthy on the commentary boat.

Myross Rowing Club enjoyed a tremendous day in neighbouring Glandore Harbour, taking home victories in the U12 ladies, U12 and U14 ladies races. The club also secured second place in the novice ladies race and produced one of the most exciting races of the day in the U16 category, dramatically snatching silver in the closing strokes of the race. Additional podium finishes came in the intermediate women and veteran women categories.

Ring Rowing Club showed huge promise throughout the day, with several crews narrowly missing out on medal positions. Their intermediate men secured an impressive second-place finish, while many of their younger crews demonstrated exciting potential for the future.

Host club Rosscarbery Rowing Club not only delivered a superbly run championship opener but also impressed on the water with a strong set of performances. The club claimed victory in the U16 race, secured second-place finishes in the U12 and U18 races and added six third-place finishes in the U12 ladies, U14 ladies, U16 ladies, U18 ladies, senior mixed and novice men categories.

Following such a spectacular opening round, excitement is already building for round two of the championship, which will be hosted by Myross Rowing Club in Union Hall on June 21st.