Unsung hero of rowing club in Tipperary has been honoured

Hundreds of boys and girls have come down to The Island over the last 30 years to learn to row with Clonmel Rowing Club, the oldest sporting club in the town, and thanks to the efforts of Jimmy Fennessy, many have made The Island their second home. 

Jimmy started his rowing career in the early 1970s. Andy Dillon was club captain at the time and it was under his tutelage that Jimmy caught the rowing bug, an affliction that shows no sign of wearing off anytime soon.

He took a break from the sport for a time but when his son Paul took up rowing 30 years ago Jimmy returned to lend a hand and got roped into coaching, a job in which he is gifted at passing on the knowledge that he has gained over the years. 

As a coach, the important attributes he sought to develop in the young rowers were commitment, discipline and fun. He takes great pride in seeing the juniors develop into responsible adults who progress to play pivotal roles in society. 

Many of his proteges have won Irish championships and gone on to row for Ireland in the Home Internationals and the European junior championships. 

2024 will surely be regarded as the icing on the cake, as his star pupil Daire Lynch won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, while three weeks later Donnacha Keeley won a gold medal at the World Under 23 championships in Canada. 

These successes demonstrate the important role that coaches and mentors have in developing the sporting careers of talented athletes, and in that regard Jimmy ranks among the very best.

Jimmy's work behind the scenes at the oldest sporting club in Clonmel has earned him an Annerville award, which will be presented by the Tipperary United Sports panel at its annual function at the Talbot Hotel Clonmel on Saturday night, January 25.

Tickets for the event are now available from Sports Panel member Ken Conway, email conwayken@eircom.net