Athlone trio help Ireland rowing crews progress in Lithuania
Athlone Boat Club duo Sarah Rockett and Anna O’Grady have helped the Ireland women’s coxless four crew secure their place in the next round of the World Rowing Under-19 Championships in Trakai, Lithuania.
Sarah and Anna were joined by Isabella Wright (Enniskillen Royal BC) and Clóda Phillips (St Michael’s Rowing Club, Limerick) as a superb display ensured progression from the heats.
The crew is now looking forward to competing in semi-final 1 at 12.01pm (Irish time) this Saturday, August 9.
Athlone's Richard Heaslip along with Daniel Crozier (Methodist College RC), Tommy Little (Neptune RC) and Paul Schofield (Coláiste Iognáid RC) have also secured a semi-final place in the U-19 men's coxless four event.
The men race in semi-final 2 of their category at 12.28 (Irish time) on Saturday. At the U19 European Championships in May, they just missed out on a podium place when finishing fourth.
Athlone Boat Club has congratulated Rockett, O’Grady and Heaslip on their selection for the Under-19 World Championships and wished them the best of luck in the event.
The club also noted that Rockett and O’Grady "have etched their names in the proud history of Athlone Boat Club as the first female rowers from the club to be selected to represent Ireland at the World Rowing Championships".
There is further Athlone Boat Club involvement in Lithuania through Fergie Hannon, who is part of Rowing Ireland's coaching team at the U19 World Championships.
Last year, Hannon was a member of the coaching team for the Irish junior men’s quadruple sculls, which included Athlone Boat Club’s Rían Claffey. The team earned a fourth place finish in the ‘A’ final at the 2024 World Junior Rowing Championships in Canada.
Overall, it has been an impressive start at the World Rowing Under-19 Championships as all five crews have successfully progressed through their heats and into the semi-finals.
The Irish team departed for Lithuania last weekend and the championships continue until this Sunday, August 10.
*See separate article here on two Athlone Boat Club members taking part in the Coupe de la Jeunesse in Austria.