Offaly Rowing Club collect four gold medals at National Junior Rowing Championships

The rescheduled National Junior Rowing championships (1k Classic) took place last weekend and Offaly Rowing club certainly left their mark on the event. Originally scheduled for the end of June, the event was postponed due to weather but junior rowers from all over the Country descended on Lough Rinn last Saturday and Sunday looking to take home National titles.

After a hugely successful Regatta season, the National championships are the pinnacle and what all rowers are building up to throughout the year.

Despite been classed as a ‘small’ club, Offaly rowing club left Leitrim with four gold medals, not withstanding a host of other top class performances in tricky conditions over the 1km course.

The action kicked off on Saturday in wet and windy conditions but that didn’t stop the Offaly crew. Finn Lowry got the ball rolling in the J14 singles and navigated the course expertly to take home gold in a time of 4.23 minutes. Up against rowers from Kings Hospital, Carrick, St Michaels and St Joseph’s, Lowry led from the start and maintained his advantage on a day where concentration and steering was just as important as speed.

Harry Doran also competed in the J14 singles and after starting well, he kept up his tempo to finish in third place in his race. Ben O’Grady took to the water in the J15 singles and like the two lads in the J14, he started brilliantly, leading early on before taking fourth place.

Sunday was a new day and with the weather improved from the previous day, Offaly went in search of more National honours.

Master rower Adele O’Dwyer continued her fine season by taking home the gold in the Women’s Masters Singles. A super row from O’Dwyer saw her defeat rowers from Tribesmen, New Ross, Lee Valley and Galway in a time of 4.54 minutes.

There was more to come from the club based on the canal in Cappincur. The J14 doubles event, which was a highly competitive event, saw them take home more national honours.

The team of Finn Lowry and Harry Doran won an epic final needing all of their powers to stave off some stiff completion. They held on for the win in a time of 3.39.3 minutes, a mere 0.7 of a second ahead of Athlone in second place. They led from the off but were pushed to the pin of their collar with Newry, Lee Valley, Commercial and Carrick also providing the competition.

The Masters doubles saw John Ward and Patrick Dunican take to the water and another super row from the lads saw them compete well in the race ultimately won by Portora Rowing club.

All in all, a massive day for the club with some big scalps taken. All attention now turns to the Tullamore Time Trial this Saturday on the canal in Cappincur.

Time trials

This Saturday, September 26th will see Rowing clubs from all over the Country descend on Tullamore as Offaly Rowing club host their annual competition; the Tullamore Time Trials.

A staple event in the Rowing Ireland calendar, the Canal will play host to some of the most exciting up and coming talent in the Country.

Now in their 41st year of existence, Offaly rowing club are based on the canal in Tullamore on the Ballycommon side of Digby Bridge.

With races from under 13 all the way up to seniors and masters, racing will commence at 8.30am and run right throughout the day.

The aim of the game is simple. There will be a series of timed races in all the grades and the overall fastest rower over all the heats will take home the mantle of Tullamore Time Trial champion in their age grade.

The Tullamore Time Trials are renowned as a massive test of endurance with the course measuring a massive 2.25kms.

The time trials have historically been a singles event but last year saw the introduction of Double sculls and Coxless Pairs to broaden the entertainment and talent on show.

Offaly Rowing club would like to offer an open invitation to everyone to come down and have a look and support the rowers. Based on the Canal, a popular walking, cycling and running route, don’t be shy in roaring on the competitors if you are out and about the area. With over 100 competitors registered to race, it will be a hive of excitement.

2026 has been an excellent year for the club with numerous gold medals coming home to the club over the course of the years from events held in places like Dublin, Limerick and Leitrim and they go into Saturday’s event with plenty of medal prospects.

A small club when compared to the larger and more recognised clubs in the Country, that hasn’t stopped them really making their mark on the regatta scene this year. Rowing is a commitment driven sport and the club have rowers from 10 years of age and upwards all training four times a week.

Refreshments will be available on the day while ample parking is also available beside the clubhouse (Eircode R35X3W2)