The late Michael Somers spearheaded the revival of Clonmel Rowing Club

Clonmel Rowing Club members recently learned the sad news of the passing of Michael Somers.

In his 90th year, Michael, from the Mountain Road, Clonmel, died on December 15.

He was a former captain and honorary life member of Clonmel Rowing Club.

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His rowing career began in the  early 1950s and he was part of the High School Rowing team that won the Liffey Cup at the Dublin Metropolitan Regatta in 1953.

A few years later, Michael was back at Blessington with his crew of Andy Dillon, Joe Dunphy and Frank Kent. With storm force winds blowing, the crew plied their way through the waves better than all their opponents, who all eventually sank, leaving Clonmel the first in the field and the last to yield.

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During the 1960s the Clonmel club went into decline, but with the club’s centenary coming up in 1969, Michael spearheaded the renaissance of the club, becoming what is regarded as the first captain of the modern era.

Under his tenure he organised the purchase of several boats and he also introduced sculling to the club. Around the same time, his brother Billy was very involved in Garda Siochana Boat Club, going on to become captain in 1974 and it was a great honour for the Somers family to have two sons as captains of their respective rowing clubs.

Predeceased by his wife Sally, Michael was interested in a wide variety of sports, but rowing was his favourite and he was very proud of Daire Lynch’s bronze medal in the Paris Olympics.

He is survived by his daughter Majella, son-in-law Rory, grandchildren Evan and Laura, sister Eva, brother-in-law Ned, sisters-in-law Eileen and Marilyn, nephews, nieces, extended family and friends, to whom sincere sympathy is extended.

May he rest in peace.