#coastalrowing – St. Michael's Rowing Club, based at the Coal Harbour in Dun Laoghaire are the toast of the county after they became the town's first ever men's All Ireland Champions at the Coastal Rowing Championships in Waterville, Co. Kerry.
The team comprising of Colm Crilly, Ger Ryan, David Cullen, Gareth Whittington and coxed by George O'Brien, beat off stiff competition from crews around Ireland, including their local rivals and previous 4 time champions, St. Patrick's of Ringsend.
The ladies crew of Eloise O'Riordan, Amy Smith, Hilary Lovejoy, Deirdre Friel, also coxed by George O'Brien, came in a super 3rd place, bringing home a brace of medals and the club's most successful display ever, at the Championships.
Winning such a prestigious event, which attracts over 2,700 competitors from over 45 clubs, has always been high on the club's agenda. Club Captain and Gold Medallist David Cullen told us "it's been a super season in which we have moved up to 3rd (out of 9) in the East Coast Championships, followed by winning Gold at the All Ireland's is truly remarkable, but not a surprise. We have worked really hard as club to compete with the top teams and the weekend's result shows this is paying off".
The club entered a record 8 crews over the weekend, with all crews making a real statement of intent, that 2016 will be an even better year for the club at the All Ireland's, this time in Donegal.
And they're off...
Neck and neck
The pride of Dun Laoghaire coastal rowing
Team St. Michael's in Waterville