More global rowing success for Tipperary
Clonmel Rowing Club
Hot on the heels of the success of Daire Lynch and Philip Doyle at the Olympics, another Clonmel rower hits the international headlines.
Donnacha Keeley, son of Derek and Catherine Keeley, was rowing with Ciaran Purdy of QUB in the U23 mens lightweight 2x at the world championships which were held in St. Catharine's, Canada, not too far from Niagra Falls.
In one of those freakish coincidences Donnacha was rowing with Ciaran Purdy, a Belfast rower, just like Daire Lynch was rowing with Philip Doyle who is from Banbridge which is just down the road from Belfast. We can definitely say that we are doing our bit for North/South cooperation.
It’s a great honour for any rower to represent their country, but to do so at the world championships and win makes the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. Donnacha is just 20 years of age and studying medicine at UG.
Donnacha and Ciaran had a very impressive row in the opening round, setting the fastest time of all the heats and just two seconds outside the world record. On a hot August day they went into the final as favourites. Irish rowing has garnered quite a reputation in recent times and nobody takes the Irish for granted anymore.
The boat from the host nation, Canada, led the way through the first 500m, but Keeley and Purdy were confident in their race plan keeping a close eye on the experienced and fast French and Italian crews.
Rowing with great maturity, they gave a very controlled performance, laying down the power in the middle of the race which enabled them to move up to second place at the 1000m mark.
Keeley and Purdy overtook the Canadians at 1300m as did Italy and France. At 1700m the Italians and the French made a last ditch attempt to overhaul the Irish boat increasing the rate of striking to 42 but Keeley and Purdy withstood the onslaught to take the U23 World championship title in the mens lightweight 2x.
There was a big Irish contingent in Canada to cheer on Donnacha and Ciaran and it brought immense pride for them to see the tricolour being hoisted up the flagpole.
The Irish flag got a few more outings when Paul O’Donovan won the world lightweight single title and Siobhan McCrohan claimed the bronze medal in the womens lightweight 1x.
Irish rowing is on a roll and Clonmel Rowing Club has played a major part in these successes. Already this year two club members have been part of crews that have won Irish Senior 8’s titles. Laura Meehan was on the UL crew which won the womens senior 8’s and Sarah Lonergan coxed the Cork B.C. 8 to the mens senior title. Daire Lynch went and did the business at the Olympics and now Donnacha Keeley brings home a world championship. Our cup runneth over.
Well done everyone. Some of our masters crews are heading to Germany for the world masters championships from the 10 to the 15 of September. No pressure lads.