Medal fever takes over at Lee Regatta

Sport

Medal fever takes over at Lee Regatta

Success at the Lee Regatta for Fermoy Rowing Club oars people, with James Quirke recording his first singles win.

Saturday, 25 May 2013
2:14 AM GMT



On Saturday last, all roads led to the marina for the Lee Regatta. Fermoy Rowing Club travelled with a strong squad of young aspiring oars people and confidence was high that we were in for a successful regatta. Conditions were far from ideal, with a strong wind blowing down the river. The oars people were in for a tough day.

First boat out for Fermoy was Sarah Murphy in the U14 singles. In a great race, Sarah had to settle for second place to a very promising Lee RC rower. Next out was our two U14 boys quads for their respective finals. Despite giving their all, both crews had to settle for second place. So after three races we had three second placings. Was it going to be one of those days?

There was so many entries for the under fifteen girls singles, that is was broken into two sections with two separate finals. Both Fermoy girls, Katie Bartley and Sarah Murphy qualified for their respective finals. Katie rowed a terrific race to finish 3rd in a very competitive race. In the second final Sarah led with 50 metres to go, but was passed and looked like she would have to settle for another second place, but she dug deep to rally and in a driving finish both girls crossed the line together.

It was hard to say who won. In fact the umpire could not separate them and a dead heat was declared. This was Sarah's first singles regatta win, emulating her mother Carol who also recorded her first regatta win at Lee regatta, many many years ago.

Our next rower out also recorded his first singles win. The very popular James Quirke was one of three young rowers contesting the under fourteen section. After Colum and Shane Hurley both finished 2nd, all eyes were on James. To everyone's delight and excitement, James stormed into a 2 length lead, from the Lee RC favourite. As James went through the half stage, he made a decisive burst and quickly opened 4 lengths of clear water and went on to win, to rapturous applause.

There is a good-natured rivalry developing between our top coaches, Rhonda Murphy and Tony O'Brien. With Rhonda one up after Sarah earlier win, Tony sent his highly fancied under fifteen boys quad up for their final. They rowed a magnificent race to win by a comfortable 2 lengths. Tony 1, Rhonda 1.

Rhonda responded quickly. Her under fifteen girls quad went to the start of their final against the very highly rated Lee Crew as well as Workmans RC, Cappoquin RC, Cork BC and St Michaels RC. Despite having the worst possible draw, the Fermoy girls rowed a terrific race and were level with Lee for duration of the race, in a driving finish Fermoy under brilliant coaxing and coxing from Aoife Quinn edged ahead to win by three feet. Rhonda 2 Tony 1.

Tony's boys under 15 doubles took to the water and it a great performance Ted Pyne and Brendan Daly led from start to finish. Rhonda 2 Tony 2. It was time for Rhonda to get serious as she sent out her unbeaten under 14 girls quad, looking for their third win in a row. With each race these girls are looking more impressive and they led from start to finish, drawing many compliments from the watching public.

Rhonda 3 Tony 2. Now Rhonda sent out her final crew, the girls under fifteen double of Selina Cotter and Amy Walsh for their final. In a fantastic race Selina and Amy proved too strong for their opponents and won by four lengths.

That brought the curtain down on our day. The club finished up with seven wins. Rhonda's girls accounting for 4 of them, with Tony's boys getting 2.

Our next outing is to the popular regatta in Carlow on the June weekend.

Congratulations are also due to young Shane Hurley who won the U12 section of the Cork Sculling Ladder. Well done Shane.



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