Offaly Rowers claim top spots at Tullamore Time Trials

A festival of rowing took place on the canal in Tullamore recently as Offaly Rowing Club held their annual ‘Tullamore Time Trials’ event.

Clubs the length and breadth of the County descended on the club based on the canal between Cappincur and Ballycommon and it proved by to be a hugely successful day both on and off the water for the club who celebrate their 40^th birthday this year.

With clubs from all corners of the Country including the likes of New Ross, Sligo and Newry, there were huge numbers for the event with strong competition across all grades.

Action began bright and early with the first of four sessions kicking off at 8.30am. The early morning rain didn’t dampen the spirits though and the host club made their presence felt on.

Finn Lowry continued his fine run of form this year to claim top spot in the under 13 singles category. The Cloonagh native made light work of the 2.25km course to take the honours with an impressive time of 9.57 minutes for the first of his two gold medals of the day.

Caden Coleman kept the winning start up for the Offaly club as he took the spoils in the under 14 singles making it two wins in two years having won the under 13 event back in 2024. His time of 9.18 minutes saw him beat off all challengers to keep the medal count ticking.

The club also took top spot in the under 14 doubles with Finn Lowry making the step up in age class to partner David Mooney to victory as the pair rowed with conviction and in harmony, clocking an impressive time of 9.13 minutes in the process.

As the day progressed, the victories continued for the Offaly crew with Blaithin Clarke fending off club mate Nicole Duke to take top spot in the under 18 girl’s singles in a time of 10.23 minutes.

The pair then combined to take the under 18 girls doubles crown as they rowed their way to victory in a time of 9.50 minutes.

The girls showed continued to lift the medal haul for the club. Ciara Chambers and Ealga Moran combined flawlessly in the under 16 girl’s doubles to power home in first place in a time of 10.15 minutes.

Every rower that dawned the Offaly singlet rowed exceptionally well with a number of close shaves for further medals.

The Stephen Harte memorial cup was also presented on the day to the fastest rowers with that accolade going to the Men’s under 18 doubles pair from Craiguenamanagh Rowing club. Stephen was a huge part of the club for a number of years and the club, along with his family were delighted to honour him on the day.

The event could not have been possible without the help of our valued sponsors on the day. A huge thanks to J Grennan and sons, Calor, Irish Tar and Bitumen supplies, Wirtgen, Intel, Industrial Research and Technology, Dan and Molly’s pub, Brendan Mann, Glenisk, Hereford and More, O’Donoghues Bakery and Kelly’s Roadhouse, Mucklagh.

The club received brilliant feedback from competing clubs after the event. A big thanks to all our volunteers who looked after the parking, stewarding and everything in between while a special mention must be given to the parents who ran a shop on the day with hot and savoury along with sweet treats available throughout the day.

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The club will now turn their attention to the head of the river event in O’Brien’s Bridge in Limerick this coming Saturday with another strong team of rowers making the trip down to represent the club.