Strong performances in Portadown as Carrick Rowers look forward to Lough Rynn Regatta this Saturday

At 5 am on Saturday 29 April 29, Carrick rowers boarded a bus and made their way to the banks of the Bann, Portadown boat club for their annual regatta. 

The race day started at 8 am when two J16 men's quads slipped for their races. The Carrick A crew of Sean Nolan, David Molloy, Fionan Feely and Marcos Fallon Alonso were the first to come down the course. They came down the course at great speed and deservedly got through to the quarter final.

It was a quick turnaround for these lads though as the J16 ladies quad was waiting on the slip to get into the boat and go again. 

While this was going on, the B crew of Tadgh Duignan, Nandor Stefsik, Alfie Walsh and Des Keane, coxed by Martynka Kaminska. Raced down the course at a great speed but unfortunately their competition crossed the line just ahead of them. 

Next up was the J16 ladies quad Caoimhe McGovern, Elizabeth Flynn, Chloe McGuinness and Emily O’Connor, coxed by Erin McCauley. The girls had a strong start and went well ahead of their opposition but unfortunately caught a bad crab and the other crew crossed the line first. 

Again, it was a fast turnaround for this boat and the A crew were to be back on the water for their second race of the day, a semi-final. They again rowed very well and made it through to the final. They took to the water once again for their final, the boys had a great start but unfortunately their opponents came out on top on this occasion.

We then saw the J15 double Donal Keane and Mark Tansey power down the course to deservedly earn themselves a medal.

Next up was Cormac McKiernan in a single scull. Cormac had a strong race with great technique but was unlucky to fall short. Soon after, Grace McCawley followed suit and took to the water in a scull. This was Grace's first race in a scull; she raced very well but her opponent crossed just ahead of her. 

Next to hit the Bann in a single scull was Nandor Stefsik again another strong and impressive performance but was unlucky on this occasion. 

After lunch we had two J16 men’s doubles on the water. The first of these crews was the A crew of Marcos Fallon Alonso and David Molloy. The lads stormed down the course and moved through to the semi-final. 

The B crew of Des Keane and Brierton Murphy had a good race but were clipped at the finish. The A crew raced down the course once again at great speed to win a place in the final. They had an impressive final row; the competition was fierce but their opponents came out on top. 

Next on the water was our girls J16 double Caoimhe McGovern and Tess Kane. The girls put in a great performance but it wasn’t their day. 

Two J15 coxed quads took to the water. The first of these crews was the A crew of Rylee Carney, Hannah Butler, Martynka Kaminska and Deryn O’Rourke, coxed by Hugo Butler. These girls shot down the course to claim themselves a medal. 

We then saw the B crew of Hannah Morgan, Kara Cosgrave, Ava McHugh and Róisín McCauley, coxed Erin McCauley, put in a good performance but unfortunately the other crew crossed the finish just ahead of them. 

The last race of the day for Carrick was J15 men’s quad Rueben McCrann, Peter Morahan, Mark Tansey and Donal Keane coxed by Hugo Butler. These lads rowed well but unfortunately today wasn’t their day. 

We had a fun-filled day out at Portadown and made great memories. We saw our rowers put in very impressive performances. We as always are very proud of them. 

Next on the agenda is Lough Rynn regatta on Leitrim’s Olympic standard course Saturday May 6. If you are in the area why not pop in to see the high standard of rowing on display.