The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Impressive numbers and talent in Fenit for rowing finals
SERVING as a qualifying regatta for the upcoming All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships, last Sunday’s County Championship meeting in Fenit was always likely to attract impressive numbers, but the facts and figures behind this 2017 edition were telling by even the most exacting standards.
No less than 13 teams from around the county entered crew in the North Kerry-based regatta in the hope of securing berths in the upcoming national championship billed for Ballyshannon between August 18 and 19. These crews competed across 23 races, covering age groups from under-12 to Senior.
“We were treated to some great battles,” Kerry rowing stalwart Mary B Teahan said of the event. “The under-14 girls set the tone, with the Workmen club taking a narrow victory over Flesk Valley. Thee under-14 mixed race followed similar likes, with Cahersiveen beating Sive to gold in a photo-finish.
“Some other crews that took the eye were the awesome Pre Vet ladies of Fenit and Sneem’s senior ladies team. Another standout race was the under 18-girls’ contest, in which five crews battled for the line, with Callinafercy just about pipping Templenoe on the line.
“I must give special mention to the under-12 participants, as this was the youngest category. Despite their age, they treated us to some awesome displays, with Portmagee taking the mixed under-12 race and Cromane winning the girls-only equivalent.”
With a sprawling schedule squeezed into one day, hosting this event was an arduous task, but Mary was unequivocal in her praise for Fenit Rowing Club for its preparation ahead of the regatta and its seamless management on the day.
Kerry Coastal Rowing PRO Liane Teahan expressed similar sentiments, saying: “The clubs really enjoyed their regatta in Fenit, and I was delighted with the competition. I’d like to pay tribute to the clubs who turned out in force, and I must also congratulate Fenit on being fabulous hosts, as well as the many winners.”
The rowers must do it all over again in Sive on the August bank holiday weekend, with full details of this event due in the coming days, but the south and mid Kerry clubs’ attention now returns to the traditional wooden boats and the Templenoe Regatta on Saturday, July 29. The draw for the buoys is billed for 3pm.
FULL COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS
Under-18 ladies: 1st Callinafercy; 2nd Templenoe; 3rd Workmen. Under-18 boys: 1st Workmen; 2nd Callinafercy; 3rd Sive.
Pre Vet Ladies: 1st Fenit; 2nd Workmen; 3rd Flesk Valley.
Pre Vet Men: 1st Flesk Valley; 2nd Callinafercy; 3rd Workmen. Under-12 Girls: 1st Cromane; 2nd Fossa; 3rd Sneem. Under-14 Mixed: 1st Cahersiveen; 2nd Sive; 3rd Portmagee. Under-16 Ladies: 1st Fossa; 2nd Portmagee; 3rd Callinafercy. Under-21 Ladies: 1st Workmen; 2nd Portmagee; 3rd Sive. Senior Mixed: 1st Flesk Valley; 2nd Fenit; 3rd Cromane. Master Mixed: 1st Callinafercy; 2nd Templenoe. Under-16 Boys: 1st Flesk Valley; 2nd Workmen; 3rd Templenoe.
Under-12 Mixed: 1st Portmagee; 2nd Cromane; Joint-3rd Cromane and Portmagee.
Under-21 Men: 1st Workmen 2nd Callinafercy 3rd Cromane. Pre Vet Mixed: 1st Fenit; 2nd Flesk Valley; 3rd Workmen. Under-14 Girls: 1st Workmen; 2nd Flesk Valley; 3rd Flesk Valley ‘C’. Vet Ladies: 1st Sneem; 2nd Templenoe; 3rd Callinafercy.
Int Men: 1st Callinafercy ‘A’; 2nd Callinafercy ‘B’; 3rd Fenit. Junior Men: 1st Templenoe; 2nd Fenit; 3rd Workmen. Master Ladies 1st Workmen; 2nd Templenoe; 3rd Callinafercy. Int Ladies: 1st Workmen; 2nd Sive; 3rd Fenit.
Junior Ladies: 1st Fenit; 2nd Sive; 3rd Workmen.
Senior Ladies: Gold Sneem
Master Men: Gold Templenoe; Silver Callinafercy.