Kilmacs shine in Munster Regatta

KILMACABEA men came out on top in a memorable coastal rowing regatta held in sun-drenched Glandore last Sunday week. In the senior men’s race, they narrowly beat Ring with Kilmacsimon coming in third.  

The South West Coastal Yawl Rowing Association (SWCYRA) held this regatta to celebrate the 40th anniversary of its foundation. 

Titled the Munster Regatta, the top Kerry clubs of Workmen’s Killarney and Portmagee took on the best from east and west Cork.  

This win for Kilmacabea in the senior men’s race was particularly welcome as the Kerry and east Cork clubs were having the best of it all day in the other categories. Kilmacabea had earlier taken silver in the mixed veteran category, making it a great day for the club.

The other West Cork side to show early-season form in the adult categories was Kilmacsimon. They took bronze in all four – the senior men, senior ladies, veteran mixed and masters mixed. 

Galley Flash seemed to be one step behind them all day, finishing fourth in senior ladies, senior men, U16 and U18 mixed.

In the underage section, Rosscarbery were the shining lights from West Cork, winning medals in both the U12 and U14 mixed categories.  

Poor weather has hindered the on-the-water training programmes for most clubs. West Cork clubs will next meet their Kerry counterparts in August in Irish Coastal Rowing Championships at the National Rowing Centre, Farran Wood.  

Overall, this regatta highlighted the amount of work clubs need to do if they are to be ready for that challenge.