National Titles for Castleconnell at Irish Rowing Championships

Castleconnell Boat Club had a hugely successful weekend at the 2018 Irish Rowing Championships, which was held at the National Rowing Centre last weekend. They won three National titles and came home with a whole host of wins in non-championship events.

The success began on Friday when the Castleconnell crew of Saoirse Byrne, Lauren O’Brien, Niamh Kiely and Norma Silke caused a huge upset to win the Woman’s Junior 18 4- Championship, beating the favoured crews of Colaiste Iognaid, Cork Boat Club, Enniskillen, Bann & Galway in a cracking nail biting final. The girls nearly pulled off a second big upset on Sunday, taking Silver in the Woman’s J18 Quad.

The Woman’s Club 4 of Clara O’Brien, Sarah Gilmore, Norma Silke & Saoirse Byrnes also put in an impressive performance to finish in 2nd Place in the Club 4 Championship.

Fionan Crowley become Champion of Ireland in the Men’s Senior 1X, beating strong Skibbereen rowers Mannix, and Burns into second and third.  

Sunday brought Castleconnell’s third Championship win in the Men’s Junior 18 2X, when James Desmond and Rory O’Neill brought home the title against a strong field that included crews from Lee, Three Castles & Carlow Boat clubs.

In the Woman’s Intermediate 1X, Clara O’Brien put in a very impressive performance to finish second in a field of top class scullers and Castleconnell also had runner up finishes in the hugely competitive Men’s Senior 4X- and Men’s Intermediate 2X events.

Castleconnell also won 3 Bronze medals in Championship events in the Men’s Junior 8+, the Men’s Junior 4+ and James Desmond took home the Bronze in the Men’s Junior 1X

In non-championship events at the NRC, which comprises of Masters, and Junior 16, 15 & 14 events. Castleconnell brought home a whole host of medals. It was a weekend that demonstrated the depth of talent currently at Castleconnell, who were able to put out competitive crews in nearly every Junior & Senior Category.

With 12 rowers now called up to row for Ireland in International Regatta’s this Summer, Castleconnell have enjoyed unprecedented success on the water this season.

Championship Medals:

Gold – Woman’s Junior 18 4-

Gold – Men’s Senior 1X (Fionan Crowley)

Gold – Men’s Junior 18 2X

Silver/2nd Place finish in Championship Events –

Womens Junior 4X- ,

Womens Club 4+

Mens Senior 4X-

Womens Intermediate 1X (Clara O’Brien)

Mens Intermediate 2X

Bronze in Championship Events

Bronze – Mens Junior 1X (James Desmond)

Bronze – Men’s Junior 8+

Bronze – Mens Junior 4+

Gold Medals in Non-Championship Events

Mens Junior 15 1X

Womens Junior 15 4X+

Womens Junior 14 8X+

Womens Junior 15 1X (Jane O’Brien)

Womens Junior 15 1X (Ciara Kiely)

Womens Junior 15 8+

Mens Junior 15 8+

Mens Masters 1X (a-b) (Ronan Egan)

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John Keogh