53 crews from ERBC travelled to O’Briens Bridge to compete in Limerick Regatta. The J15 and above competed over 1500m, while the J14 age group covered 1000m. The water conditions were good but the rain made the day challenging to say the least, however the rowers coped really well and came home with 16 category wins.
The WJ18+ crew of Eva Johnston, Clodagh O’Donnell, Rachel Cullinan, Chloe Thompson, Laura Turner, Niamh Cassidy, Rhea Cartin – McCloskey, Kate Huddlestone and cox Jessica Thompson had a fantastic win over the girls from Castleconnell BC. This was the first time the crews have raced each other since Castleconnell won the category at Erne Head back in March and ERBC’s girls were delighted to cross the finish line first.
In the WJ18 4- Rachel Cullinan, Chloe Thompson, Laura Turner and Acorn Cassidy
had another win over Castleconnell BC and the girls also won the Junior Coxless Quad category.
WJ15 8+ A, Annie Fowler, Meabh Murphy, Zara Welsh, Erin Trimble, Naomi Robinson, Mya Morris, Hannah Armstrong, Rhea Cartin McCloskey cox Jessica Thompson overcame the challenge from St Michael’s RC and the other ERBC crew to take the win.
WJ14 8X+ A Grace Collins, Abbie McCarthy Magwood, Tori Davis, Brook Davies, Abbey Johnston, Emily Black, Natalie Turner, Isabella Wright and cox Abbey Wilson took the win over Cork BC
WJ14 4X+ A Abbey Johnston, Emily Black, Natalie Turner, Isabella Wright and cox Abbey Wilson also won that category.
WJ14 4X+ B won their final over the crew from Shannon RC and ERBC’s C crew
In the boys’ events the MJ18 8+ A and B crews were unfortunately the only 2 crews in the category so they raced each other in mixed crews for the racing experience and the ‘A’ crew finished ahead of the ‘B’ crew.
The same thing happened in the MJ18 4+ event with 3 ERBC racing each other. Nathan Kelly, George Kernaghan, Oran Harty, Marcus Davis Kunze and cox Katelyn Fee crossed the line ahead of the other 2 crews and lifted the medals.
Evan Donaghy, Andrew Cuthbertson, Austin Cassidy, Luke Bailey and Katelyn Fee had a great win in the MJ15 4X+ category over the boys from Cork BC
The B crew, Ben Cameron, Jamie Dunlop, Ryan Topping, Charlie Lynn and Jessica Thompson also won their MJ15 4X+ straight final over the crews from Killorglin and Athlunkard.
The MJ14 4X+ Jacob Woods, Joshua Ihnat, Olie Powell, Cillian Donaghy and cox Oliver McNeary won their final and were delighted to receive the coveted medals. The 5 boys then teamed up with Oliver Jennings, Shane O’Donnell, Joel Crean and Cameron Bell to take the MJ14 8X+ title.
In the MJ15 8X+ finals there had to be a change in the crews as some of the boys were taking part in another race at launch time. The ERBC A boat was unfortunately pipped at the finish line by the boys from Castleconnell RC while the ERBC B boat won their final.
Ethan Downey, Eoghan Campbell, Ryan Topping, Lorcan Sreenivasan, Evan Donaghy, Andrew Cutbertson, Austin Cassidy, Luke Bailey and Katelyn Fee then won the MJ15 8+ much to everyone’s delight.
The MJ16 8+ crew George Kernaghan, Owen Kelly, Eoghan Campbell, Jake Sembhi, Justin Smith, Joe Murphy, Hugo McChesney, William Bogle and cox Daniel Montgomery had a lovely strong win over St Michael’s.
Many thanks to everyone who travelled to Limerick with the rowers and helped the coaching team on an extremely busy day for ERBC.
Next for the rowers is Portadown Regatta this Saturday and Lough Rynn Regatta on Saturday, 6th May.
