Almost 300 guests including the President of Rowing Ireland, Neville Maxwell and ERBC’s President David Storrs attended ERBC’s Gala Ball on Friday night at Lough Erne Resort. The formal part of the night started off with a new Four being formally named Patsy McGettigan in memory of John Adebiyi’s mother. John and his wife Liz along with Barry Dowling and his wife Katrina unveiled the name in glorious sunshine. Barry and John were both boarders at the school and members of the boatclub in the 1980s and they contributed a substantial amount of money to allow the next generations of young rowers to enjoy the same wonderful experiences that they had.
Heads or Tails was played with £750 raised for Cardiac Risk in the Young, a charity that does great work screening young people for cardiac arrhythmias.
Neville Maxwell presented Derek Holland and Iain Kennedy with numbers to recognise the fact that they are both Olympians. Iain was the 231st to represent Ireland in the Olympics while Derek was the 557th. Neville also brought along the bronze medal won by Nathan Timoney and Ross Corrigan at the World Championships last September to pass around the rowers. Neville and Derek both about their hopes for Nathan and Ross as they continue their preparations for this Summer’s Olympics in Paris. ERBC coach, Tim Richmond along with Patrick Armstrong, Shane Fulton and Brendan Buckley who won the Irish Championship Coxed Four in 1984 came together on Friday night to celebrate this special anniversary. Niall Flanagan, the cox couldn’t make it on Friday night. In his welcome speech Head Coach, Derek Holland thanked everyone for supporting the rowers over the years. Everyone in attendance raised a glass to Robert Storrs from the crew of 1984 and to Jonny Gibson who died recently, he was a great supporter of ERBC.
Thanks to Fiacre and Mark at Encirc who sponsored our drinks reception and to everyone who supported us with the most amazing auction and raffle prizes. Thanks to everyone who bid on the auction prizes and donated money to the raffle. Many thanks to Noel Trimble, our auctioneer who did a great job.
The highlight of the night was the Aurora Borealis which was absolutely spectacular.
