Achtung - Tipperary rowers are off to Germany once again
Clonmel rowers will compete in the Rhine marathon
Achtung Achtung! The Clonmel rowers are coming again!
So the warning cry from the Germans goes up as they prepare for another invasion of Clonmel rowers into German territory.
Just three weeks ago, the Clonmel crews competed in the World Masters Regatta in Brandenburg and this weekend sees a men’s quad take part in the Rhine marathon, a 43 kilometres row from Leverkeusen to Dusseldorf.
The crew of Ken Hennessy, Tom O’Donnell, Ronnie Corbett and Andrew Bourke, coached by Michael Green, have been training hard all year for this most gruelling of events. This popular event will have hundreds of boats taking part and the rowers have to ply their way through the busy shipping lanes, which include 800 ton barges.
Some of the more clever crews bring electric bilge pumps to empty their craft of water as a result of the wash from the barges.
As the race progresses, blisters on the hands and other body parts can be expected, making it a true test of endurance.
In Clonmel the juniors and beginners are knuckling down to the winter training in earnest and the foundations laid now will stand them in good stead for the 2025 season.
The Clonmel Rowing Club AGM takes place this Sunday, October 6 when members can reflect on an amazing year in the 155th year of the club.
The club congratulates Jane Williams on her recent election as President of Rowing Ireland. Jane rowed as a junior with Clonmel Rowing Club in the 1970s and trailblazer that she was, she was responsible for the inception of women’s rowing in Trinity College Dublin.
She brings a wealth of experience from the corporate world and is well positioned to bring Irish rowing to a new elevation.