Broad spread of winners at Sive hosted regatta in Cahersiveen

THE first regatta in South and Mid Kerry waters took place on the August bank holiday Sunday in Caherciveen. Sive were the host club and ran a superb regatta with some very exciting races.

All Covid guidelines were in place and great credit must go to the Sive regatta committee for handling this extra work as well as running the racing. The weather was perfect as well with the sun shining all day.

The host club had a number of victories. Their powerful senior and U-21 ladies crews recorded impressive victories as well as their U-14 girls and minor boys. Portmagee clocked up a few wins as well, their U-18 ladies gave a phenomenal performance to win by a huge margin and the U-12 girls and U-12 mixed had strong wins as well. Callinafercy took gold in the senior men.

The race of the day was the last race, the family race. The rules were that the crew had to be related with at least one woman. This was an action packed race with the Murphys from Ardcost leading out the race, but the Murphys from Callinafercy hit the front on the way home closely followed by the Connors from Caherciveen and the Husseys of Bracaragh.

A good spread of the silver and bronze medals were shared evenly by all clubs. All competitors and spectators were in great form after the day and were just delighted to be back on the water at last.

The annual Portmagee Regatta takes place on this Sunday with the draw for buoys at 4.15pm and a full card of racing. The first race is underway with the minor girls and the last race will feature the very successful family race again. There is also a unique Seine boat challenge.

Way back in 1954, the Mahoneys of Ardcost challenged any crew on the coast to come and take them on. This was done by placing an ad in a national newspaper. The challenge was accepted by the Fitzgeralds crew from Ballinskelligs.

Now, in 2020, we issue the same challenge to all comers to take us on in the Seine boat race. So far, some neighbours in Cork have accepted this challenge and will race in Portmagee wearing their rebel red colours in another instalment of this ancient rivalry. It’s understood at least one other club is also gathering men together to rise to the challenge.

It is the only Seine boat anywhere in Ireland for the 2020 season, and one not to be missed. Portmagee is the place to be next sunday. All oars up!

Results

U-16 boys: 1st Caherciveen U-14 mix, senior men, mixed vets, U-21 men and family race: 1st Callinafercy Senior ladies, U-21 ladies, U-14 girls, U-18 boys, U-16 girls: 1st Sive U-18 girls, U-12 girls, U-12 mix: 1st Por tmagee

Boats on the water during the Cahersiveen Regatta hosted by the Sive Rowing Club