Castleconnell Boat Club making waves on international rowing stage

CASTLECONNELL Boat Club is making waves on the national and international stage this year, with a significant cohort of junior athletes being selected to represent Ireland.The club’s Junior Women’s Squad, in particular, is achieving historic success, an inspiring story of talent, dedication, and progress in Irish women’s sport.

Six members of the club’s Under-18 Girls Squad have earned international call-ups to various Irish rowing squads, a testament to their skill and the strong coaching culture at Castleconnell Boat Club. Two of the club’s Junior Men have also been selected for international duty.

Among the standout athletes is Sibéal Ní Fhlaithbheartaigh, aged just 18, who recently sat her Leaving Certificate exams. Sibéal has been called up to the Irish U-23 Women’s Squad for the European U-23 Championships, which will take place in Racice in Czechia this September. In a remarkable dual achievement, she has also been selected to represent the Senior Women’s Squad at the Home International Regatta at Dorney Lake in Windsor on July 26, an exceptional feat for a junior rower.

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Lorna McNamara, who also recently sat her Leaving Cert, has been selected for the Coupe de la Jeunesse for the second consecutive year, having brought home gold and bronze medals in 2024. The Coupe will be held in Linz, Austria on August 2 and 3.

Fifth-year students Meabh Kelly, Juliette Ferte, Amy Roberts, and Emily McEntee (all aged 17) have been selected for the Home International Junior Squad, also racing at Dorney Lake on July 26. Their inclusion underscores the depth of talent emerging from the club’s youth programme.

On the boys’ side, Artur Siuda and Donncha Donnelly from the Junior Men’s Squad will also don the green jersey for Ireland at the Home Internationals in Windsor, rounding out an impressive showing for the club across both squads.

Behind these incredible achievements are the dedicated coaches: Derek Bowen, Joe Cunningham, and Saoirse Byrnes with the women’s squad, and James Mangan and Maurice O’Connor coaching the men’s squad. Their mentorship and commitment have been key in developing this next generation of elite rowers.