Carrick rowers impress in Islandbridge
Carrick Rowers produced a series of impressive displays on the first weekend of April at the prestigious Neptune and Commercial Rowing Club Regattas on the Liffey at Islandbridge in Dublin.
After a long cold winter of slow rates and long miles, Carrick Rowers couldn’t have been happier as regatta season got underway with the regattas in Dublin. On Saturday, April 1, coach Mick and Barry’s junior 16 and 18 men and women hit the N4 for the first race day of the season.
First race of the day for Carrick was Men's Junior 16 4X+ B crew raced by Tadgh Duignan, Nandor Stefsik, Sean Nolan, Des Keane and coxed by Erin McCauley. The lads made it through to the semi final where they were caught just at the end.
Next on the slip was Junior 16 single skull Cormac McKiernan who has been very successful this season but unfortunately it wasn’t his day.
The W jnr 18 4X- crew were the first of the girls crews to hit the water. A strong crew made up of Elizabeth Flynn, Tess Kane, Erin McCauley, Rosie McGreevy rowed very well but just missed out at the end.
The last race of the day was a final for W jnr 16 4X+ crew of Sarah O’Leary, Caoimhe McGovern, Chloe McGuinness, Emily O’Connor, coxed by Erin McCauley. In an intense race, it was neck and neck the whole way it was anyone’s for the taking but Carrick were pipped on the line.
The racing didn’t end there as Sunday saw Carrick’s junior 14 and junior 15 groups take to Liffey for another great day of racing.
Carrick’s two women’s j15 quads were first on the water - the B crew of Aifric Gibney, Róisín McCauley, Kara Cosgrave, Hannah Morgan, coxed by Hannah Butler unfortunately came up short despite a strong row. The A crew of Deryn O’Rourke, Rylee Carney, Clara Fee, Nora Stefcsik, coxed by Hugo Butler rowed extremely well which ended up with them deservedly winning their race!
The next two Carrick crews to take to the water were the j14 women’s quads for their first ever regatta. The A crew of Natalie James, Emily O’Connor, Roma Dowler, Hannah Flynn, coxed by Eve O’Rourke put in an amazing effort but unfortunately lost by a small margin. The second crew was made up of Rubee Nolan, Rachel Wynne, Sarah Shannon, Ugne Padimanskaite, coxed by Erin Caufield also had a terrific row which ended up with them winning they’re race, amazing results for these crews first regatta.
The next crew to slip were the men’s junior 15 double comprised of Peter Morahan and Reuben McCrann who rowed very well but lost out to strong opponents.
The next two crews to race were the two junior 14 women crews. The B crew was made up of the duo of Ingrid Jamieson Stritch and Rebecca Dunne with the A crew of Hannah Butler & Hannah McKeon - both of these crews rowed terrifically but unfortunately on this occasion luck wasn’t on their side .
The next two crews to race were the junior 15 women doubles. The B comprised of Aoibheann Harman and Martynka Kaminska and the second crew to race was made up of Cara James and Katie McDermott - both of these crews rowed very well and although their opponents crossed the line seconds ahead of them they’re looking forward to their next day out.
The last crew of the day was the junior 14 men’s quad comprised of some of our newer rowers - Liam Kernan, Theo Kane-Smyth, Eli Lowe, Julien Bild, coxed by Caidhríonn O’ Riordan although the lads put in a strong effort the lads never the less a great first regatta race.
We would like to thank Neptune & Commercial Rowing Clubs for, as always, welcoming our club with great hospitality - we are already looking forward to you events next year. This was a great weekend and the start of a very busy and exciting racing schedule for the club and a great first regatta for our younger rowers.
Next up will be an outing to Portadown Regatta. This is one of the most enjoyable races of the year on the banks of the Bann with one of the most welcoming clubs.
These races will help the older crews build towards Lough Rinn Regatta on Leitrim's Olympic standard course on May 6.