THE ROWING’S OFF TO A FLIER

VALENTIA IMPRESS WITH FOUR INCREDIBLE WINS

THE South and Mid Kerry rowing year took its seasonal bow at the weekend, with Cahirciveen hosting what proved to be a day full of everything that makes rowing so compelling.

Callinafercy took the day’s opening race, the boys’ under-18 event, and it was a sign of things to come, with the club following up later on with a win in the senior men’s competition. The big winners were not Callinafercy, however, as Valentia took no less than four titles; the under-18 girls, under-16 boys, under-14 girls, and under-14 mixed competitions all went to the island club.

Elsewhere, there were wins for Sneem, Portmagee, and Cromane in the senior ladies, under-16 girls, and under-12 mixed, respectively. Sneem also took the Seine boat race.

“Donal Tommy of the Cahirciveen club was delighted at the way everything ran off, and while the wind was very challenging for the younger crews, they showed their spirit, and Donal thanked all the clubs who supported their regatta,” Mary B Teahan explained.

“Next weekend, all roads lead to Sneem, with a massive 185 crews entered for the Kerry Coastal County Championship. The host club of Sneem have huge work put in, and there is a Park and Ride System in place from the Sneem Hotel, with a very early start; the first race is off at 9.30am.”

The event serves as a qualifier for the All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships, billed for Wexford in August.

Cromane Under-14 Mixed bronze medalists Molly McCarthy, Darragh Lynch, Anthony Lynch (cox) Sean Murphy and Ross Bowel at Cahersiveen Regatta on Sunday.

Valentia Under-14 Girls gold medalists Dervlah Healy, Emma O’Connor, Amy Lyne (cox), Leanne O’Connor and Saoirse King at Cahersiveen Regatta on Sunday.

Sneem Senior Ladies gold medalists Caroline Casey, Delia Murphy, Elaine Murphy, Helen Harvey and Sasha at Cahersiveen Regatta on Sunday.

Sive Under-14 Mixed Silver Medalists Niall O’Sullivan, Cathal O’Sullivan, Padraig O’Shea (Cox), Aoife Looney and Daniel Keenan at Cahersiveen Regatta on Sunday.

Killorglin Minor Boys silver medalists Michael O’Connor, Sean Houlihan, Amy Lyne (their cox), Conor Murphy and Shane O’Connor.

Cromane Senior Men silver medalists Ethan Griffin, Daire O’Sullivan, Anthony Lynch (cox), Fionan O’Sullivan and Alex King.