Rower with local links attains world ranking of 15th

By David Flynn

A promising rower with strong Athlone links now has a world senior ranking of 15th following a successful week’s rowing at the World Rowing Championships in the Czech Republic.

Brian Colsh achieved the fantastic rating after coming in third in the Men's Single Sculls 'C' final last Saturday.

Brian, whose time in the race in Czech Republic was 7 mins, 7 seconds, was in second place for much of the 2000-metre race. But Lithuanian rower Mindaugas Griskonis overtook him to finish in second behind the Hungarian rower, Bendeguz Petervari-Molnar, who won the race. Brian beat the Chinese, Swedish and Slovenia rowers.

The 20-year-old, who lives in Sligo, is the grandson of Tom and Alice Colsh, Tormey Villas, Athlone and he has trained in recent years with Athlone Boat Club. His father Tommy was a stalwart member of the local club.

Making his World Championships debut at senior level, Brian finished third, ranking him 15th in the world. Out of a field of 35 scullers, it was an impressive result from the young sculler.

A student at University of Galway, Colsh claimed a bronze medal when representing Ireland at the U-23 World Championship in Varese, northern Italy in July.

“The Hungarian sculler is taking it pretty strongly in the first 500 metres,” said one of the commentators on the race in Czech Republic. “With a little bit of clear water, young Irish sculler, Brian Colsh is not letting him get away.”

In the middle of the fourth minute, Brian was still in second place in the race in Czech Republic.

“Brian Colsh still looking to dig deep and close that gap, but as it is, the Hungarian sculler is holding onto the lead,” said the commentator.

At around the five-minute mark, the Lithuanian rower moved into second place and Brian went into third, although there was still hope for a return.

However, Colsh remained in third until the end of the race, attaining the world ranking of 15th.