ERBC returned to Islandbridge, Dublin on Sunday with 21 crews making the trip to compete at Commercial Regatta. Both Neptune and Commercial Regattas were cancelled last year due to adverse weather conditions, so it was great to have the events back this season as they are always well attended and provide good competitive racing for crews. Last weekend was the start of regatta season when crews start together and race side by side for the length of the course.
The crews won 9 sets of medals. The first win was by the MJ14 4X+ crew Louis McIvor, Oliver Collins, Albie Cluff, Finlay Bell and cox Milena Remedios against Coleraine Grammar School. Next, the WJ15 4X+ crew of Eva Fowler, Freya McNeary, Sophie Collum, Holly Shaw, and Amy Lipscomb took the honours over the girls from Carlow RC. Caelan Moore, Harry Welsh, Matthew Leonard, Reece Brady and cox Amy Lipscomb won the MJ14 4X+ against Offaly RC. Clodagh Donaghy and Kaitlyn Read overcame the challenge from Shannon RC. Dara Mangan, Finlay Bell, Cathair McCusker, Tommy Chen and cox Maeve Rolston McAuliffe also won a MJ14 4X+ straight final against another crew from Shannon RC. Noah Corrigan and Louis McIvor won the MJ14 2X over the boys from St Joseph’s RC with Oliver Collins and Albie Cluff also overcoming their opponents in the same category. The WJ14 4X+ crew of Nicole Graham, Clodagh Donaghy, Kaitlyn Read, Meave Rolston McAuliffe and cox Milena Remedios raced against Coleraine Grammar School and claimed a great win and then turned, went back up to the start to race against a crew from Shannon RC who didn’t have anyone to race against so asked the girls if they would oblige. That was 2 wins out of 2 for the girls and they were rewarded with 2 sets of medals, t-shirts and a cup for their efforts. They were delighted with their haul which finished off a very successful weekend of racing for ERBC.
The senior crews will compete in Skibbereen Grand League Regatta over 2 full days this weekend coming and we all wish them the very best of luck.
