Rockett soars to new heights as Heaslip earns Ireland call

Local rower Sarah Rockett has become the first female member of Athlone Boat Club to win an international medal.

Sarah, who has been awarded a four-year academic and athletic scholarship at the University of Washington, was a key part of the Ireland Under-19 squad that claimed second-place, and the silver medals, at the Coupe de la Jeunesse at Lucerne, Switzerland.

She was part of Ireland’s coxless four squad that also included Claire Walsh (Enniskillen), Isabella Wright (Enniskillen), Grace Faherty (Galway), Gracie Bates (Skibbereen) and Brigid Mahon (Fermoy). Fergie Hannon, the renowned Athlone Boat Club coach, was also in the travelling contingent to Switzerland, coaching them to a brilliant runners-up spot. Earlier this year, Sarah claimed a bronze medal in the Junior 18 Single Scull at the National Championships.

In preparation for the event, a ten-day training camp was held in Athlone with the assistance of the local club.

Fergie Hannon said: “I was honoured and delighted to be selected to coach the squad at the Coupe de la Jeunesse. There was great excitement and anticipation when the squad arrived in Lucerne. The girls settled quickly into the new surroundings and had several days to train on the course ahead of racing. For three of the athletes - Claire, Grace and Brigid - it was their first experience of an international event. Sarah and Isabella had competed at the previous year’s Junior World Championships, while Gracie had previously competed at the Coupe de la Jeunesse.

"All six athletes were hugely impressed by the course and both crews continued to develop throughout the final training sessions. By the time racing began, there was a real sense that they had gelled well.”

Having progressed through the heats, Ireland came up against Italy, Spain, Great Britain, Netherlands and Switzerland in the final.

“It proved a fantastic race,” said Hannon.

“Once again, we started aggressively and put ourselves in contention from the outset. Great Britain, who had recorded the fastest qualifying time in the heats, led the race, with Italy in second and Ireland sitting half a length behind in third as the crews approached the final 500 metres. With 300 metres remaining, the Irish crew launched an early sprint for the line. It proved decisive.

"The girls surged past Italy to claim a magnificent silver medal behind Great Britain, with Italy taking bronze. It was Ireland’s first medal of the competition and, significantly, the first international medal for each of the four athletes. It was a hugely popular result among the Irish contingent and the atmosphere in the spectator stand was electric as the crew walked to the podium to receive silver medals,” he added.

Fergie praised the squad for its ‘maturity, resilience and professionalism’.

“For young athletes competing on the international stage, they handled the pressure and demands of the occasion exceptionally well. It was a privilege to coach the group and be part of such a memorable experience. I have no doubt we will see all of the girls representing Ireland again in the years ahead,” he said.

Meanwhile, fellow Athlone Boat Club member Richard Heaslip – a nephew of former Ireland rugby star Jamie – has been called in to the national Under-23 European Championships squad, which will head for Poland in early September.

In addition to much success at the National Championships earlier this year, other club members to receive international recognition this year included Darragh Collins, Evin and Rian Claffey, and Sophie Reynolds.