Ballymote star rower Colsh is competing at a world event in Czech Republic

BALLYMOTE’S Brian Colsh is representing Ireland at this week’s World Rowing Championships in Racice, Czech Republic. The talented 20-year-old is competing in the men’s single sculls (open event) and yesterday morning, Wednesday, he was in the quarter-finals.

On Sunday last he emerged from the heats – he finished third in heat three, clocking 6:59.99 for the 2,000 metres distance from lane five. He rowed the first 500 metres in 1:41.93, reached the halfway mark (1,000 metres) in a time of 3:27.90 and hit 1500 metres with the clock on 5:14.18. The top three in each of the six heats qualified for the quarterfinals.

Colsh was placed fourth in his quarter-final with a time of 6:58.73, and he has progressed to the section ‘C’/‘D’ semi-final today, Thursday. In July, Colsh, pictured, won a bronze medal in the men’s double sculls ‘A’ final at the World Rowing U-23 Championships in Varese, Italy. Colsh, who began his rowing career with Sligo Rowing Club, teamed up with Konan Pazzaia (Queen’s University Boat Club) for what proved a successful competition for the Rowing Ireland representatives.

Now a member of University of Galway Boat Club, Colsh was part of the Irish team that won silver in the quadruple scull category

at the European Junior Rowing Championships in Belgrade in 2020. He was initially coached by his dad, Tom, at Sligo Rowing Club. A national champion in the Junior 15 age group five years ago, he was runner-up in the men’s single sculls (at senior level) in last year’s Irish Rowing Chanmpionships.

Back in April of this year, Colsh won two titles for University of Galway at the University Rowing Championships. Colsh won the men’s senior single sculls and was also part of the winning team in the men’s senior doubles sculls event. These displays earned him international selection at U-23 level.