Colsh takes part in Carlow regatta
BRIAN Colsh was the only athlete to compete for Sligo at Carlow regatta on Sunday 3rd June.
He was competing in the toughest of the events, the men’s single scull, which saw a total 19 athletes from all over the country racing over the 1500m, two lane twisting course on the river Barrow.
The luck of the draw saw him gain a bye through the first round and it was in round two where he was pitted against a very talented sculler from Fermoy, Co.Cork.
Colsh dominated the race from the start and finished with a commanding lead.
The next round saw him paired against the current national schools silver medallist and the favourite for the gold at this event, Andrew Carroll from Athlone.
Both scullers exploded out of the starting blocks but Carroll’s size advantage saw him lead Colsh through the first half of the race. Colsh raced hard and was level by the half way point and with 300m to go had gained a narrow lead of half a length. But it was with 200m to go that Colsh’s luck ran out. A steering infringement from Colsh saw him cross into Carroll’s lane, and despite winning by over a length, he was disqualified for interference. The only consolation was that his opponent from Athlone went on to win the event outright.
Sligo athletes will travel next to Athlone regatta on 16th June.