Carrick Rowing Club Excels at Galway Regatta – Page 1 of 6

The Menlo Straights was the final venue for competition for Carrick on Shannon Rowing Club this bank holiday weekend. This 700m three-lane course on the Corrib provided quite the test as clubs from across Ireland came together for the staging of this famous regatta in 2022.

Carrick Women kicked off the day with a Junior 14 double scull action. is a credit to all involved, including club captain John Lowe who faithfully provided transport and transport for our boats.

Then our junior men took to the water in the J15 skiff. Bri Murphy delivered the first win of the day with a fine line against Athlone Boat Club. Notable performances also came from Nandor Stefcsik and Tadgh Duignan of Carrick.

The J15 Quads 4x+ competition came soon after with a Carrick combination of Donal Keane, Fionnan Feeley, Cormac McKiernan and Alfie Walsh roaming the course for the win. A special mention must go to helmsman Hannah McKeon of Drumshanbo who sailing in the strong breeze and choppy waters made the difference for Carrick.

Experienced Sculler Leah McLoughlin carried on that winning habit for Carrick as she took away victory over two local Galway Rowing Club crews in the J16 sculling competition. It was one of the performances of the day as this pair navigated tough conditions and opposition very familiar with the distance victory course.

Another Carrick victory against local crews followed, this time Colaiste Iognaid, as our men’s J14 crew set the tone and brought home more cross-oar pennants.

Deteriorating afternoon conditions provided even more testing conditions with the Carrick Junior women working hard and performing without silverware. These developing crews under the tutelage and watchful eye of trainer Gabor Stefcsik will have acquired very good experience from the day that they can channel into their preparation for future competition.

The winning ways returned for Carrick in the J14 men’s doubles as an exciting new combination of Donal Keane and Mark Tansey proved the winners against teammates Fionn O’Leary and Ruben McCrann and local St. Josephs Bish Rowing Club. These men from Roscommon rowed with power, pace and style in a thrilling finale.

The day’s final victory came from a season-long duo of Bri Murphy and Cuileann O’Donaile in the men’s J15 doubles. These men rowed with tenacity and confidence beyond their years to bring down the curtain on a six-game winning streak for the club.

As always, we thank traveling coaches John, Gabor and Mick for traveling with our young proteges to offer direction, support and racing advice.

Next weekend brings local attention as the club takes on the Lough Rinn Regatta. It will be a truly neck and neck performance for the whole club, as the Mohill venue plays host to the best of Irish racing in a Grand League regatta.

Carrick RC will provide volunteers and officials at all levels, from stewards, referees and judges to meal preparation, catering and coordination led by our chairman Gabriel Cox, club vice-captain Orna Gilhooley and the chief referee Mark Butler.

Veteran campaigners like Aoife Lowe will also be back after a brief break after the Metro Regatta.

However, some club rowers will take a break next weekend as the school leaving certificate and junior certificate weigh on attendance. We wish all of our members taking exams the best of luck in the coming weeks.

We look forward to welcoming spectators and club friends to Lough Rinn next weekend to see some top racing and a classy Leitrims International venue. We’ll see each other there!