The secret: Skibb’s recipe for success

IN an upstairs room in the Skibbereen clubhouse is a glass-topped table. Underneath its surface is a part of a boat, around which the entire table has been constructed.

It was a Leaving Cert woodwork project completed by one of the O’Donovan brothers, and now stands proudly in the club that has been like a second home for them since they were children.

The table is a tangible connection between the club and its most famous sons, but it is also a reminder that no matter where they go and what they achieve, they are of Skibbereen Rowing Club.

That spirit survives as an attitude, too, as a story told by TJ Ryan illustrates.

It relates to Eugene Coakley, who represented Ireland at the Olympic Games of 2000 and 2004. His brother Richard was in Beijing in 2008.

‘I remember years ago someone asked Eugene at a function, “What’s the secret?”

‘He said, “There are only two things. I’ll tell you one now and the other later”.

‘“What’s the first one?” says the other fella. ‘“Train hard”. ‘At the end of the day Eugene was heading out the door.

“You never told me the other one,” says yer man.

“Oh yeah,” replied Eugene. “Train harder”.

‘You get out of it what you put in,’ smiles Ryan.