Donegal Town duo qualify for international rowing events in Italy

Méabh McNamara and Grace Masterson from Donegal Bay Rowing Club (DBRC) have secured a spot on the Irish team for the World Beach Sprint Championships and the Coupe de la Jeunesse Beach Sprints.

The pair won the Junior Women’s Double Scull category last weekend at the Irish Beach Sprints Qualification Event held in Ballinskelligs Beach, County Kerry. This secured their qualification for the two prestigious events which both take place in Italy in September 2023. 

A spokesperson for DBRC said: “This is Méabh and Grace’s second year representing Ireland in the World Championships. 

“The girls had a head-to-head battle in the final, ultimately coming out first against a very strong Portmagee El Nino double crew. As a result the DBRC girls become the first junior crew in Ireland to represent their country two years in a row in this rowing specialism of Beach Sprints which is set to become an Olympic event in 2028. 

“The girls have trained diligently to achieve this win utilising the AVS fitness suite, Lough Eske, Donegal Bay and Murvagh Beach.”

Earlier in the day Isabel Maguire, Grace and Méabh raced in the junior women’s singles category. At 14 Isabel was the youngest competitor at the Beach Sprints Regetta and has a bright future with another three years yet of racing in this category. 

DBRC senior rower Luke Keaney along with Neptune Rowing Club’s Niamh Kilgallen rowed the senior mixed double category but lost out by just two seconds in a very tight final race after winning their heats in style earlier in the day. 

Isabel and Rose Maguire took on the elements in a J14 mixed composite quad with Portmagee Rowing Club. The crew put in a fantastic performance finishing in first place. Rose also took part in the J12 mixed quad race again teaming up with a Portmagee Rowing Club composite crew. The J12 crew coxed by Méabh McNamara came out on top winning Donegal Bay’s second gold medal of the day.

DBRC sincerely thank Portmagee Rowing Club, event organisers and volunteers. A special word of thanks to parents and families for travelling to Kerry to support the DBRC Rowers participating in these events and to the club’s S&C Iarlaith Cox.