South and Mid Kerry’s rip-rowing social event

THE South and Mid Kerry Rowing Social was just the kind of end of season get together everyone deserved following another fantastic season on the water. It was a special evening for new chairman, Kieran Murphy, and his hard working team of officers who work tirelessly to ensure everything goes to plan. Over 300 guests from 13 different clubs in Kerry came together to celebrate and solidify the traditional aspect of their sport.

The social is one in which awards, praise and recognition are given out in copious amounts to those who helped make it a great season. It was a busy season in the four-oar category with high praise indeed across all age levels. The U14 Portmagee Girls enjoyed a clean sweep this year that included an All-Ireland win. Also enjoying a clean sweep were the Killorglin U16 boys; the U14 boys of Sive Rowing Club were worthy winners, as were the U16 Ballinskelligs boys. It was also a great year too for clubs’ Valentia, Cromane and the senior men from Callinafercy.

In the Seine Boat category, Michael O’Connor and The Liberator crew from Cahersiveen won the coveted ‘Johnny Mahoney’ cup with Michael Driscoll and the crew of Cnuicin the runners up. The Sneem and Valentia ladies also came in for special mention, as did the ‘Johnny Mahoney’ cup winners of 25 years ago – Cromane.

“It was a night of celebration with some fabulous stories. It’s a night when we celebrate the proud tradition of our sport in South and Mid Kerry in the four-oar and Seine Boat competitions,” said Mary B Teahan.

“There’s a busy circuit of regattas throughout the season which requires great effort and organisation and the night is a celebration of this,” Mary added.