Patterson on podium Page 43
22ND July 2017 will be a date that will go into the annals of Sligo Rowing Club’s history as it was the date on which Rathcormack native Glenn Patterson not only represented his country at the Home Internationals Regatta in 2 different boat categories but who was also on the winners podium together with Daire Lynch of Clonmel (Stroke), Ronan Byrne of UCC (3 seat) and Tom Dillon of NUIG (Bow) as the tricolor was hoisted on the centre flag pole to the anthem of Amhran na bhFiann having won the open mens coxless quad holding off stiff opposition from England, Wales and Scotland.
The Home International Regatta took place on the purpose built rowing course in Strathclyde Park, Glasgow where Ireland had a large team of 74 athletes competing including 19 senior men and women together with 18 junior men and women.
The event is now in its 55th year as Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales compete to win the Victor Ludorum – ‘the winner of the games’.
For some Irish athletes, the Home International will be the pinnacle of their rowing career; for others and for hopefully Glenn a first step on the road to World and Olympic Championships.
For the now-famous Gary and Paul O’ Donovan, it was just the beginning of their journey to Olympic medal glory.
Glenn who joined the club as a school boy and who is now coached by Tom Colsh and aided by Molua Donohoe was selected to row for his country as a result of putting in some excellent race times at Ireland’s national regattas which are held throughout the country.
Having embarked on a tough weights and ergometer programme over the winter months Glenn’s selection was well warranted. The club would like to acknowledge Declan Nugent of Avena who supported Glenn’s weights and ergometer training regime over the past number of months.
Having been selected Glenn travelled to Belfast last week immediately after competing at the National Championships in Cork with his newly purchased single the “Beezie Gallagher” which then went with Glenn to Scotland on Friday to compete on Saturday.
Glenn’s first race was in the morning in the single sculls where he was unfortunately beaten by a strong English sculler who three weeks earlier reached the semi-final of the “Diamond Challenge sculls” at Henley Royal Regatta.
Glenn’s second race was in the much coveted men’s open quad in the afternoon at 4pm. Whilst Molua travelled to Scotland to mentor and encourage Glenn the re-
mainder of Sligo Rowing Club were out on the Garavogue laying the course in advance of Sligo’s regatta on Saturday 29th July.
As 4pm arrived all work on the river stopped as word came through Ireland were level with England at the 500 metre mark with Scotland and Wales slow off the start.
The 1000 metre mark update came through to those on the Garavogue - Ireland ahead of England by a foot with Wales and Scotland falling out of contention. Then came the word Ireland by a canvass which went to half a length with Wales and Scotland now out of it, it’s down to a 2 boat race. Then came the word from Molua “Ireland by 2/3’s of a length with 500 metres remaining. England are putting in a big push but the Irish lads are holding them”.
Final word came through “Ireland take it by half a length. Ireland have it.”
It goes without saying there were celebrations not only in Scotland but also on the Garavogue before work resumed laying the course. Glenn’s win can be attributed to his consistency, hard work and dedication to the sport and to his coaches Tom & Molua who have mentored Glenn to the point where he is now nationally recognized as a talent that can be fostered further for the bigger stage should Glenn wish to go there.
Glenn’s win also is a tribute to not only those who are currently involved in the club including chairman Rory Clarke and treasurer and fitness instructor Ray Murtagh, but also to those who are now no longer in the club but gave of their time freely over the last 11 years to accommodate Olympic style rowing in Sligo.
Rory Clarke works tirelessly behind the scenes, fundraising, organising loans for equipment, recruiting and coaching beginners and reems of administrative duties
It’s also an acknowledgement to those who had the foresight to recognize the benefits of starting a rowing club in Sligo including Frank Durkin of Offaly Rowing Club, John O’Keefe now of Three Castles, and the initial steering committee of Niall Davey (first chairman), Michael Foxe (first treasurer), Mary Marandahar (first secretary) and coaches Rory Clarke & Christy Lynch to achieve this objective.
It is also a tribute to the local authorities Sligo County Council and Deirdre Lavin of SSRP who both facilitated the start up of the club in their separate ways.
The national sports capital programme should also be recognized as an excellent initiative for partially funding what is a capital intensive sport.
Sligo Rowing Club now looks forward to its own 800 metre 3 lane sprint regatta in Doorly Park on Saturday 29th July which starts at 9:30am where Masters crews from Athlone BC, Carrick on Shannon RC, City of Derry BC, Commercial RC, Galway RC, Lee Valley RC, Neptune RC, Newry RC, Offaly RC, Shandon BC and Waterford BC will all congregate to compete on home waters for one last time before they travel to Bled in Slovenia in September to race at the World Masters at which Sligo Rowing Clubs coach, Henley VIII’s medal winner and 4-time Irish Championship winner Tom Colsh will also compete.
Why not call by and see some quality rowing first hand.