14/06/2026
What a day we had in Athlone Regatta, hosted by our friends in Athlone Boat Club.
A JAM packed event for the club from 8am, through to finish after 6 pm, with every squad in the club represented from j14 up to our Masters and everything in between.
Conditions were testing on the morning but thankfully settled down a bit a the day went on, but the fun and laughter amongst all the members made the small breeze an after thought.
The club came away with a plethora of wins, and many close 2nds and strong performances from every crew that hit the water at Coosan point, and came close to winning Best Club.
Wins for the MJ164X+ got things rolling just after 8am, and club crews didn't want to be left behind with more following suit. Sam Mannion and Oscar Moore won their J181X finals in great faces, Sam in his first single sculling race. Next the Mens Masters 4X- continued their winning ways with a around race against their club mates , Sligo, and Lee Valley/ Neptune composite.
After the break, club captain Mike Gaffney teamed up with JJ Conneely, in the Mens Masters 2x, to overhaul a 21 second headstart for a strong Athlone crew, to grasp victory in a fantastic race. Our Mens J14 4x+ recorded a great win in their race with two of the crew relatively new to the sport, gave a brilliant showing holding onto victory in a tight finish.
Next up our Womens J151X race with Lucy O'connor and Una O'Dea both winning their finals in confident fashion. Our Mens Masters returned to action in the 1xs, with the scullers coming away south victory in their respective category; Tony O'connor, Sean Heaney and Owen Diviney all coming away with Gold.
Our J16 Ladies returned to the water in a tough race in the J168+ and put in a solid race to clinch victory from St Michaels. Our J18 lads were next out, in the MJ188+, with half the crew J16, stepped up with a gutsy, mature performance to pull off an upset from Blackrock and Castleconnell. Final club victory went to the WJ184- in a great race with St Michaels and Athlone.
There were many 2nd places on top of these wins, showing the club is in a great place and everyone is working hard on the run up to Champs.
Thanks to coaches, parents, supporters on the day, for a very long day. Special kudos to Rory for towing with a very early start, and late finish.
We go again next weekend for Cork Regatta at the NRC.
GRC Abú