Our weekend kicked off with the U16 girls braving the northeast coast conditions. The girls battled valiantly in an eventful race. Our young women finished fifth and we could not be prouder. They have all only been rowing fifteen months! They showed their strength, their grit, teamwork and spirit. 

Well done to Anastasia (stroke), Michelle (3), Saoirse (2), Lilly (bow) and their cox Conor. 

Trainers : Alison, Conor, Declan, Kieran, Stephen.

The next underage crew in action was our U14 girls. Our girls had a strong start and a good turn but it wasn't to be this time. These young ladies will have another crack at U14 next year, even U12 next year for one of the girls! The ICRF interviewer requested to interview our girls after seeing how close they were after the race, and hearing about their efforts on the road to Antrim having only started rowing in 2024!

Coach Conor said he thinks of the girls as the ‘mini me’s’ of the u16s. Each girl has an older sister in that crew!! This highlights how much of a family sport rowing can be, and certainly is at Fossa RC. Congratulations on a brilliant effort by Maya (stroke), Katie (3), Ash (2), Shauna(bow), cox Conor

Trainers : Alison, Conor, Declan, Kieran, Stephen

Our last underage crew of the regatta weekend to take to the water was our U14 boys. These young men have been a shining example of training discipline, crew cohesion and motivation. They had a great start, a brilliant rate, turn and were in perfect sync. They raced to the finish line and crossed with the medalists finishing 4th in a fantastic display.

Massive ado to the lads, Tim (stroke), Noah (3), Luke (2), Adam (Bow) and Cox Conor 

Trainers : Alison, Conor, Declan, Kieran, Stephen

It was wonderful to see our underage crews getting on so well and taking in the sights including a day trip to the Giants Causeway! There was some great craic had and they are all a credit to our club!

Our first men's crew on the water was our Prevet Men. Oars men Donal (stroke), Micko (3), Brendan (2), Denis (bow) rowed Saturday afternoon. Even with the high sun and the high waves they still showcased their skill and precision. Due to the long buoys drifting overnight the crew only races the short course. They fought and fought on one of the closest races of the day but did not place. Well done men, we will try again next year.  Trainer : Stephen, Cox : Conor.

Then we had our Intermediate Men. The multiturn was also shortened due to the course issue, with the race being from the start to the short buoys, to the start and repeated. This was a testy race as all the boats once again stayed together up until the second turn. The boats separated after the third turn and the returning cork crews dominated. It was fifth for Fossa's intermediate men. Well done to Donal (stroke), John T (3), Brendan (2), Denis (bow). Trainer : Stephen, Cox: Conor.

Senior Mixed was rowed Sunday morning by Conor (stroke), Laura (3), Noreen (2) and John T (bow). The crew was delighted to welcome back Noreen after her years in Australia, she was only hours off the plane before hopping into a boat. Her first night of training on Lough Leane she said that she had seen a lot of the world, but that nothing beat the lakes of Killarney. The crew rowed to the long buoys. The whole way home they were neck and neck with Rushbrooke and fellow Kerry club Templenoe. The crew finished up third and were delighted. Trainer : Donal & Stephen, Cox : Pattie.

Our Senior Men arrived at Antrim as both of the Kerry County Championships, Senior Mens gold medalists. This race was Fossa's only full multiturn race of the year. The last race of the ICRF Coastal Rowing Championship weekend took a tough twelve minutes. Stroked by Conor Coffey, the boats started to separate about ten boat lengths in and Fossa was in the leading gang. Among the first four boats into the first turn, our bow side of Micko (3) and John T (bow) showed up for Fossa and kept the lead. Kilmacabea, Fossa and Rushbrooke were first into the last turn. John A, John T, Conor and Micko pulled like dogs and finished in third. What a show Trainer : Stephen, Cox : Pattie

Our second race on Saturday was a heat in Ladies 800m Sprint. Our novice crew eager for some race experience, it was Ciara’s very first race! The girls kept with the other boats the whole way along, and had an amazing start, turn and team spirit. Crew: Mairead (Stroke), Claire (3), Ciara (2), Orla (bow) Trainer: Donal (Winter trainer Laura), Cox: Laura

Prevet mixed: Fossa’s first long race of the weekend. Donal (stroke), Brendan (3), Maire (2), Annie (bow) took to the sea in an unmerciful battle. The crew left it all on the water, finished fourth. Great work crew. Trainers : Stephen and Donal, Cox : Pattie

Mairead (Stroke), Claire (3), Ciara (2), Orla (bow) went up again in the Novice ladies race Sunday afternoon. The girls endured the highest winds Fossa experienced over the weekend and placed fourth behind three Cork crews. What a way to end a crews first season together! Trainer : Donal (Winter trainer Laura) Cox: Pattie

Fossa then had the privilege of watching Alison row in a composite crew with Whitegate, Cork, in the mixed legends. Alison has spent the last few All Irelands volunteering for the ICRF, out in adjudicator boats, stewarding pontoons and more. Always willing to give a helping hand, she helped fill a crew along with three Whitegate rowers who started out together forty years ago. Alison is an inspiration to our younger rowers who hope to follow in your footsteps in commitment and dedication in the years to come.

Prevet ladies: With medals from previous County Champs prevet races under their belt our ladies went up to see what they could do. Maire (stroke), Annie (3), Noreen (2) and Ciara (bow) coxed by the mighty Pattie Tangney gave us a mighty show. After rowing to the long buoys the crew was third into the turn. The ladies kept their lead the whole way down. Congrats to all, especially Ciara on her first all Ireland medal, at her very first regatta! Trainer: Donal, Cox: Pattie

Our second last race of the regatta was Intermediate ladies. Laura (stroke), Annie (3), Mairead (2) and Ciara (bow) Pattie (Cox). A mighty race with a great turn and dash back to finish line, finishing 5th! 

In our final post on the fantastic weekend that was, we would like to say a few heartfelt thank yous. As mentioned in previous posts we had 14 crews take part in last weekends All Ireland Championships in Glenarm. A huge undertaking by the club! In the end around 60 people travelled to take part or support the club at an event at literally the other end of the country!

A huge thank you to our fantastic crews, for representing the club with pride over the weekend. A Trojan effort on the water by one and all! 

A sincere thanks to our fantastic band of coxes Patie Tangney, Conor Coffey and Laura Whelton for guiding our crews and helping settle the nerves particularly of the younger crews.

A particular thank you to our coaches Declan Madden, Kieran Coffee and Donal Daly who were on hand over the weekend and a special thanks to Declan and Tim for getting the boat to and from Glenarm despite a puncture and 9 hour road trip on Friday! Thanks also to Stephen Blennerhasset who coaches the Men’s teams! Super effort lads!

Thanks so much to all the family members, friends and supporters who travelled up to support the crews. The craic really was mighty at the Marina and in the odd bar that was visited!! It was great to see so many people there loudly cheering on the crews and trying to drown out the cowbells!

Thanks also to the hard working committee led by our super chairman Stephen Blennerhasset for all the work behind the scenes in the lead up to this super event and for all the work done all season! It was also nice to see the buckethats work with pride up North!!

Finally a thank you once again to all at the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation and all at Glenarm for the warm welcome. A thoroughly enjoyable weekend for all the club! Roll on the Killarney Regatta on Sunday the 14th of September!