16/08/2026
Where to start?! Sunday was the final day of the All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships in Bantry, Co. Cork and it was another fantastic day on the water.
The weather was ideal for coastal rowing, with lots of wind and rain, and some crews thought about taking up surfing instead of rowing!!
With over 50 crews across categories from under 12 to Masters, the Valley took a trip to Bantry for the weekend. The beach at times was like Main Street in Killarney on a Saturday night, and there was a fantastic atmosphere around the Valley gazebo across the whole weekend. Thank you sincerely to all the families and friends who made the trip to support the club and cheered home all our crews with such fervour! 💙
We are very proud of everyone who rowed their hearts out in the Valley colours at the weekend, especially our medal winners and those rowing in their very first All-Irelands. The standard of rowing was exceptional across the weekend and our junior members acquitted themselves brilliantly. More important than the rowing, was the fun and laughter across the weekend.
This weekend was the culmination of a long year of training on the Valley shore, and many thanks are due to our coaches and coxes for their time and encouragement throughout the year. Thanks to Donal Kelly, Tadhg Kelly, Paul Burke, Kieran Counihan, Jillian O’Neill, Colm Ó’Súillebháin, Breeda Burke, Caoimhe Kelly, John Fleming and Saoirse Sweeney. Thanks also to everyone who helped launch and catch boats all day, no one would have made it out to row over the weekend without them!
AICRC 2026 FVRC Results
U16 Girls 🥇
Under 12 Beginners 🥈
Under 12 Girls 🥈
Under 14 Boys 🥈
Under 16 Girls 🥈
Intermediate Ladies 🥈
Masters Men 🥈
Under 14 Mixed 🥉
Under 16 Mixed 🥉
Under 16 Boys 🥉
Under 18 Mixed 🥉
Under 21 Ladies 🥉
We are very grateful to Fossa Rowing Club who loaned us a boat for some of our races, it wouldn’t have been possible to have had such a great weekend without the support of other clubs.
Thanks to Tadgh Kelly, Karol Kelly, and Richie Leane for towing boats, and Donal Kelly and Kieran Counihan for bringing all the extra parts of boats and all of the webbing a life jackets (and Mr Sheen of course!). Thanks also to Richie for the loan of a boat trailer!
Finally, Flesk Valley would like to thank the indomitable Mary B and the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation for all their hard work in organising and hosting such a fantastic event. The atmosphere and organisation of the championships was top class from start to finish, from the on-the-water commentary and superb drone footage on the big screen, and the fantastic live stream that let many people tune in at home (and in Bantry!). We would also like to very sincerely thank the safety and medical personnel for looking after everyone so well this weekend!
C’mon the Valley💙🤍