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The Jes on the Water 2011

Senior Girls Crew 2011: Back row from left: Ellen Rushe, Amy Phelan, Amy Naughton, Jessica Hannon, Sinéad Lowry, Ailbhe Ní Ghríofa. Middle row from left: Ailbhe Murphy, Olivia Forde, Naomi Colclough, Áine Gavin, Niamh Doran, Nicole Cooke. Front row from left: Sarah Sheridan, Naomi Lawless, Aifric Henry Bruen and Aoife Cushen

Senior Boys Crew 2011: Back row from left: Ciaran Glynn (coach), Ruben Cruise, Matthew Kelly, Michael Lawless, Anthony Noone, Andrew Bell, Dylan Luddy, Ian Murphy. Front row: Eoin Coughlan, David Noone, Patrick Higgins, Conor Coughlan and Luke Coughlan.

Intermediate Girls Crew 2011: Back row from left: Kayleigh Power, Síle Lenihan, Niamh Heskin, Karla Mulholland, Deirdre Coyne. Front row from left: Andréa Hickey Maher, Kate Hynes, Leanne Oliver, Amy O Brolchain and Mary Byrne.

Intermediate Boys Crew 2011: Back row, L to R: Kai McGlacken, Robert Flynn, Michael Lawless, Alex Burke, Luke Rigney, Fiachra McInerney, Fionn Hynes. Middle row, Alex Coyne, Cian Hamilton, Frank O'Neill, Luke King, David Burke, Ronan Goulding, Jack McGuinness. Front row, Callum Kerin, Daniel Coughlan, Darragh McCarthy, Gavin Farrell, Donal Coen and Barra Convery.

CIRC at the National Championships

The National Championships, held at the National Rowing Centre at Inishcarra, Cork from 14-16 July are the culmination of the rowing year. The Jes entered crews in Junior 14, 15, 16 and 18 events. This year the "Champs" were spread over three days, allowing rowers to try their hand at a number of championship events.

Andrew Bell, Matthew Kelly, Ruben Cruise and Robert Flynn took part in the opening event of the 2011 Championships, the Junior 18 Sculls. 36 scullers declared for the event that began with a time trial. Both Andrew and Matthew qualified for the semi by being in the top 18 scullers. Unfortunately Ruben just missed the cut, and Robert had to pull off the course due to sickness while in a strong position. Andrew qualified for the A final where he came sixth. Making the A final, with very little sculling in his Junior B year is an excellent result.

In the final of the Junior 18 Men’s 8, the favorites, Bann, got pipped on the line by a gutsy St. Joseph ’s boat. The Jes were slightly out of their depth with these two power houses, but with 5 of the crew back next year we are hopeful of better things in this blue ribbon event.

The Jes Men's Junior 18 rowing to the start of their race

The Junior 18 Men’s four performed well in their heat with a win over Bish, Methody and Colerain. Conditions toughened in the final and the Jes men were kept out of the medals by strong performances from Bann, Bish and Portora.

Dylan Luddy and Robert Flynn teamed up for the junior double. This was the first championship for Dylan. A roaring tail wind meant very fast times, and although sculling very well, the double were unlucky not to make the semi final.

The Jes Junior 14 boys had a very successful outing for their first time at the Champs. The crew of Daniel Coughlan, Luke Rigney, Kai McGlacken, Donal Coen and Gavin Farrell (cox) had a great win in their final of the Junior 14 coxed quad in a very tight race with the Bish crew. In the Junior 14 single sculls, Luke Rigney and Donal Coen both won their finals while Gavin Farrell came third.

The winning Junior 14 coxed quad. From left, Daniel Coughlan, Donal Coen,
Gavin Farrell (cox), Kai McGlacken and Luke Rigney

Donal Coen and Luke Rigney with their winning Junior 14 sculls medals

The Men's Junior 15 crew of Alex Burke, Donal Coen, Daragh McCarthy, Kai McGlacken and cox Gavin Farrell had a convincing win in the coxed quad while Daragh McCarthy came second in his final of the Junior 15 single sculls.

The winning Junior 15 coxed quad. From left, Donal Coen, Daragh McCarthy, Gavin Farrell (cox), Kai McGlacken and Alex Burke

The Jes Men's Junior 15 Coxed Quad (red oars) with 100 meters to go

Overall, the Men's Junior 14 and Junior 15 results are excellent and the boys should look forward to success in the coming years. That said, the boys are fully aware that the competition gets much fiercer in the older age categories.

In the Junior 16 single sculls, Conor Coughlan came second and Michael Lawless fourth in their respective time trials. Both were among the 12 out of 44 rowers who went through to the semi-finals. Unfortunately neither made it through to the final.

In the Junior 18 men's coxed quad Matthew Kelly, Andrew Bell, Dylan Luddy, Reuben Cruise and Patrick Higgins (cox) easily won their semi-final to go through to the final, which was won by Bann. The Junior 18 men (Matthew Kelly, Eoin Coughlan, Ian Murphy and Andrew Bell) also reached the final of the coxless quad.

The women’s Junior 18 quad reached the final of their event despite tough going in very choppy conditions but were beaten by the Neptune crew.

The women’s J18 quad in rough water. From left, Naomi Lawless, Áine Gavin, Ailbhe Murphy and Olivia Forde

The last race of the Champs for the men’s squads was the Junior 16 quad. The Jes boat included Patrick Higgins, Michael Lawless, Conor Coughlan, Daragh McCarthy and cox Luke Coughlan. In one of the closest races of the weekend, all six arrived at the finish line in a blanket finish. After an anxious wait, it was confirmed that the Jes were fourth out of six, and did not progress to the final. This was another spirited performance by this young quartet and the experience will be valuable for their racing next season.

A few more photos from the Champs

Ailbhe Murphy and Áine Gavin rowing in a Junior 18 double

The Women's Crews

This year the Jes women’s crews went to a number of regattas, including Neptune, Castleconnell, Athlone, Galway and the National Championships in Cork . Although wins were not frequent, the rowers reached a high level of fitness and competed whole heartedly at all regattas. Rowers from all years were represented in sculls, doubles, quads and eights.

At the Galway Regatta Nicole Cooke and Ellen Rushe won the Women’s Junior 18 doubles and Jes women’s crews reached finals at a number of other the regattas. The Junior 18 quad of Naomi Lawless, Áine Gavin, Ailbhe Murphy and Olivia Forde was beaten by a strong Neptune crew at Neptune and Athlone Regattas, both in the finals. The same quad also reached the final at the National Championships in very choppy conditions. It was the same story at Athlone Regatta. The Jes women’s Junior 18 eight made it to the final but found it very hard to row in the tough conditions. At the Galway Regatta, the women’s Junior 16 and the women’s Junior 15 both competed in the finals. These crews preformed very well throughout the year and at the National Championships.

The younger women’s crew travelled to Castleconnell Regatta and did very well. For some of these it was their first regatta. They entered a quad and two doubles. One of the doubles made it to the final.

Three photos from Castleconnell

That's right coach, now you have it mastered

No, a little more to MY left

It was a long day

The women rowers are all very grateful for the hard work their coaches have put in throughout this year -- thank you Sean Carolan, Fiona Lawless, Aideen Henry, Eamonn Colclough and Evan Molloy.

Athlone and Galway Regattas

The weekend of 18-19 June was a busy one, with crews competing in Athlone on the Saturday and Galway on the Sunday. The intermediate men showed that their effort and commitment to training over the past year paid off in many wins over the weekend. Thanks go to the dedicated coaching of Liam Molloy, Mairtin Phelan, Martin Cassidy and Ed Fitzgerald, who have moulded this promising young crew.

Athlone

Confident after their win in Skibbereen, the Junior Men's 14 coxed quad (Kai McGlacken – stroke, Donal Coen – 3, Luke Rigney – 2, Daniel Coughlan – bow and Gavin Farrell - cox) left the other crews behind to win by five lengths.

Gavin Farrell and Donal Coen won the Junior Men's 14 Doubles, with Cian Hamilton ad Luke Sheridan taking third place. Daragh McCarthy beat off a full field of competitors in heavy winds to win the Junior 15 Men's scull.

The Jes women’s crew (Olivia Forde – stroke, Ailbhe Murphy, Aine Gavin and Naomi Lawless – bow) had a second to Neptune in the Junior 18 quad, rowing with great determination despite the tough weather conditions.

The Junior Women's 18 Eight (Olivia Forde – stroke, Naomi Lawless, Aine Gavin, Ailbhe Murphy, Nicole Cooke, Amy Phelan, Ellen Rushe, Naomi Colclough – bow and Sarah Sheridan – cox) made it to the final but found it hard to row in the bad weather conditions.

Galway

The Jes crews had a good day out at Galway regatta on 19 June in warm, sunny conditions – what a welcome change from the wet and windy weather of the past several years!

The Women’s crew and intermediate men gave their best, despite being tired after their day in Athlone. Nicole Cooke and Ellen Rushe won the Women’s J18 Double. The women’s J16 quad (Aifric Henry Bruen – stroke, Ailbhe Ni Griofa, Aoife Cushen and Niamh Doran) and J15 quad (Niamh Heskin – stroke, Kayleigh Power, Mary Byrne and Sile Lenihan – bow) both reached finals in their events.

Ellen Rushe (L) and Nicole Cooke, Women's Junior 18 Doubles winners

The intermediate men came through to win the Junior 14 quad after an exciting race in which they faced a row-off with the Bish crew in the semi-final after a dead heat in the first stage of the event.

The Junior 14 double of Kai McGlacken and Luke Rigney seemed set for a win, but had to abandon the final as it clashed with the J14 Quad final. The Junior 15 Quad of Daragh MaCarthy, Kai McGlacken, Alex Burke, Luke Rigney and Luke Sheridan (cox), that had only trained together twice, were beating all the opposition in the final until the boat hit a buoy causing the stroke man to lose his seat. This crew is looking good and will train together over the coming season with their eyes on the 2011 Champs.

The senior boys lost out to the Bish in the Eights race for the Andersen Cup, although they put up a good fight to come second.

Patrick Higgins and Conor Couglan won the Junior 16 double. Michael Lawless won the Junior 16 scull. Andrew Bell won the Junior 18 scull.

Patrick Higgins (L) and Conor Coughlan holding the Men's Junior 16 Doubles Trophy

Senior Jes Crews in Ghent

The Coláiste Iognáid Senior Rowing Crews had a great weekend in Ghent, Belgium from 5th to 8th May. Under hot sunny skies, there was a wonderful atmosphere at this prestigious international regatta.

The Sport Gent Club House where Jes were based -- one of three rowing clubs on the course

The finish line is directly opposite the Sport Gent Club

Over 1600 crews from over 100 clubs took part in this year’s two-day event in temperatures of over 28 degrees. A far cry from what the Jes men and women are used to on the Corrib!

There were crews from all over Western Europe and as far away as Cyprus, Israel and Tunisia. The rowing was of a high standard on this wonderful rowing venue which is a purpose-built 2 kilometer straight course.

Spectators have an excellent view on both sides of the full 2k course. Many use cycles to follow the races.

Gent International attracts as many Irish clubs as some Irish regattas, and this year was no exception. In addition to Coláiste Iognáid, Cork Boat Club, Methody, Offaly, Three Castles and CIT were all in attendance.

The Jes crews travelled with four coaches and a number of parents, as well as two drivers who took the boats across England and on to the Continent. The crews would like to thank the coaches, drivers and parents and all who helped organise the trip at the home end.

Our rowers did us proud, winning medals in three events and racing well in many other events.

Pride of place goes to the Junior Women’s 18 Coxed Eight who won their event. The girls (and their Mums) were delighted with their first Gold Medal in international competition.

The Junior Women's Coxed Eight crossing the line

The Gold Medal JW Coxed 8: From left, Nicole Cooke, Naomi Lawless, Sarah Sheridan, Ellen Rushe, Ailbhe Murphy, Áine Gavin, Amy Phelan, Olivia Forde and Naomi Colclough

After the race things were a little emotional.

In addition to their success in the Junior 18 eight, the Jes girls' team of Junior 18 and Junior 16 rowers should be very pleased with the way they competed in other events, given the high level of opposition which included National Teams.

Naomi Lawless

Aoife Cushen and Aifric Henry Bruen

Aoife Cushen and Aifric Henry Bruen docking after their race.

The Junior 18 men travelled to Belgium on the back of two solid performances in winning the Neptune Regatta and Dublin Head of the River. Confidence was high among the group and this confidence was warranted by placing second in the Junior Men's 8 to Williem III of Amsterdam. The crew of Murphy, Noone, Coughlan, Kelly, Cruise, Bell, Luddy, Higgins and Luke Coughlan (cox) produced a classy performance, but the Dutch 8 proved too strong with the Jes gaining the Silver Medal.

The JM Eight: From left, Luke Coughlan (cox), Ian Murphy, David Noone, Eoin Coughlan, Matthew Kelly, Ruben Cruise, Andrew Bell, Dylan Luddy and Patrick Higgins

The Coxed Four of Murphy, Bell, Kelly, Cruise and Coughlan found themselves against the French Junior Worlds crew in the final of the fours. The French crew romped home, but the tribesmen controlled the rest of the field to gain their second Silver Medal of the day. This result was particularly noteworthy as the crew has only just come together after Ruben Cruise performed very well in recent seat racing to warrant his position in the four.

The JM Coxed Four: From left, Luke Coughlan (cox), Andrew Bell, Ruben Cruise, Matthew Kelly and Ian Murphy nearing the end of the race

The club tried its hand at the sculling events. The men entered 2 Junior 18 quads, 3 Junior 18 scullers and a Junior 18 double. The quad of Lawless, Caulfield, Brehony and Flynn were pipped by the second Jes quad of Conor Coughlan, Ruben Cruise, Patrick Higgins and Dylan Luddy. Both quads were out of the medals however as crews from England, Belgium, Spain all had to bow to the pace of the French National Squad.

One of the Jes JM Quads: from left, Patrick Higgins, Dylan Luddy, Ruben Cruise and Conor Coughlan toward the end of their race

Andrew Bell, fresh from his second Irish Trial, was placed 20th out of 90 scullers in the Junior 18 Scull. As an indicator, Eddie Mullarkey was 20th in Junior 18 Sculls when he raced in Ghent with Coláiste Iognáid. Eddie went on to represent Ireland in the Homes and the Coupe.

Andrew Bell and coach Shane Cawley preparing for the race

The day did have its fortunate and unlucky incidents. Anthony Noone was hit with a stomach virus on the first morning of racing and had to pull out of his event. However, Eoin “Lucky” Coughlan got away with only 3 stitches on his elbow when he decided to play a spot of rugby the day before the event!

What's three stitches?

The second day of racing saw our second casualty of the weekend. Andrew Bell switched places on the treatment bench with Anthony Noone, as Andrew came down with a virus while Anthony was cleared to sit into the three seat of the junior eight. The eight were racing against Williem III for a second time, but also the French Worlds 8 and an 8 from the Netherlands. So quick were this Netherlands 8, that they beat the French Worlds 8. The Jes men had to settle for fourth in the blistering pace.

The Jes JM Eight crossing the line on Sunday

Michael Lawless threw his credentials into the Junior 16 single, placing 25th out of the 75 entries. He was the second fastest Irish athlete passing the line. Conor Coughlan, in his 6th 2k of the weekend, finished a mere 8 seconds behind Michael.

Michael Lawless

Conor Coughlan

About to leave for home. Judging by the photo, they had a good time in Ghent.
Back row from left, Ailbhe Murphy, Áine Gavin, Seán Carolan, Conor Coughlan, Robert Flynn, Eamonn Colclough, Olivia Forde, Jessica Hannon, Amy Phelan, Ellen Rushe, Michael Lawless, David Noone, Ian Murphy, Ailbhe Ní Griofa, Liam Mooney, Aifric Henry-Bruen and Reuben Cruise.
Middle row from left, Eoin Coughlan, Aoife Cushen, Patrick Higgins, Sinéad Lowry, Luke Coughlan, Niamh Doran, Simon Caulfield, Nicole Cooke, Dylan Luddy and Sarah Sheridan.
Front row from left, Danny Brehony, Amy Naughton, Matthew Kelly, Naomi Lawless, Anthony Noone, Naomi Colclough and Andrew Bell.

Galway to Ghent and back is some distance by road. The two drivers had long trips with the boats. Their efforts and skill in adversity are appreciated by all in the Club.

A Selection of More Informal Photos

Rowing is work, work work

Neptune Regatta

The senior Jes rowers were very pleased with their performance at the Neptune Regatta in April. The Jes Men's Junior 18 powered their way to a win in the Eight, beating Carlow into second place in a very tight race. They also took second place to Athlone in the coxed quad. The women’s J18 quad was beaten by a strong Neptune crew. The Junior 16 women’s crew took second place to Fermoy in the coxed quad and to Carrick-on-Shannon in the double.

The winning Eight (L to R: Eoin Coughlan, Anthony Noone, David Noone, Reuben Cruise, Dylan Luddy, Ian Murphy, Matthew Kelly, Andrew Bell and Luke Coughlan (cox, front centre) with coaches Ciaran Glynn (L) and Shane Cawley (R) and team mates Conor Coughlan (front L) and Patrick Higgins (front R)

The Jes Junior Boys Go Racing

A Jes Junior 14 Men's Quad have had a great win at the Skibbereen Regatta in Cork.

On the 10th April coaches Liam Molloy and Martin Phelan took the Men's Junior 14 and Junior 15 Squads to the National Rowing Centre in Cork to compete in the prestigious Skibbereen Regatta.

This was the first time the boys have rowed on the straight course at the home of Irish rowing and it was a great chance for them to gain experience for the many races they have ahead of them at the Cork Centre.

Heading out for their race at the National Rowing Centre

The Jes entered seven Junior 15 scullers and six Junior 14 quads. They all raced extremely well with a number of well placed second and thirds against strong opposition from around Ireland.

In particular, congratulations go to one of the Junior 14 Coxed Quads that was a Grand League winner.

Winners of a Grand League event at the Skibbereen Regatta: Jes J14 Coxed Quad.
From left, Luke Rigney, Daniel Coughlan, Kai Mc Glacken, Donal Coen and Gavin Farrell

The Future Looks Bright For Jes Rowing

Liam Molloy and Martin Phelan now coach a squad of some 20 boys - mainly Junior 14 and Junior 16, but including some Junior 16 and Junior 18 rowers. Most of these rowers competed in the Galway Head of River and Time Trial on the 19th March. This was a great chance for the lads to get some race-time ahead of the regatta season.

Coach Liam Molloy

Not a bad backdrop: L to R Luke Sheridan, Fionn Hynes, Eoghan Finn, Cian Hamilton,
and Eoin ŌCionna

Robert Flynn (left) and Daragh Mc Carthy

Names to follow

They all seem to have enjoyed the racing: (L to R) Fionn Hynes, Eoghan Finn, Eoin ŌCionna, Luke Sheridan, Cian Hamilton and Frank O' Neill

Dublin Head of River

The Men’s and Women’s Junior 8’s journeyed to Islandbridge on the 5th March for the iconic “Dublin Head of the River”. The race was run from the O’Connell Street bridge to the weir at Islandbridge. The course took the crews under 13 bridges, including the Ha’penny Bridge, the Millennium Bridge and the Sean O’Casey Bridge.

The Jes Men’s Junior 8 with the Ha’penny Bridge in the background

Here come the girls - The Jes Women’s Junior 8 beyond the Ha’penny Bridge

The Men’s Junior 8 won their event. The Jes crew beat home the Dublin clubs Neptune and Commercial, the Cork Boat Club and the newly formed Blackrock Rowing Club, coached by Irish Olympian Eugene Coakley.

Only another 2.5 k to go: (R to L) Luke Coughlan (Cox), Ian Murphy, David Noone,
Eoin Coughlan, Andrew Bell, Matthew Kelly, Ruben Cruise, Patrick Higgins and
Conor Coughlan

The Jes women also raced well and were placed bronze out of the five Women’s Junior 8's entered. This was a great achievement for the Galway crew, who were rowing this course for the first time in their rowing careers.

The Women’s Junior 8, rowing in unison as they go under the Capel St Bridge: (R to L)
Sarah Sheridan (Cox), Nicole Cooke, Ailbhe Murphy, Aine Gavin, Naomi Colclough, Ellen Rushe, Sinead Lowry, Olivia Forde and Amy Phelan

Special congratulations to both coxes, who steered very well down the narrow course. Corners were very tight but the Corrib natives put in a master-class and navigated their crews down the course safely.

The club will now look forward to the regatta season that starts this April.

Newry Time Trial

Coláiste Iognáid sent two oarsmen to trial for the Irish National Junior Team on the weekend of the 12/13 of February 2011. The trial took place on the Newry Canal in the North of Ireland. The trial involved a two kilometre ergometre test in the Newry sports complex on the Saturday, followed by a 5km sculling time trial on the Newry Canal on the Sunday. Andrew Bell and Matthew Kelly both pulled personal bests on the ergometre, with times of 6 minutes 46 and 6.51 respectfully. Former Jes oarsmen, Niall Kenny and Eddie Mullarkey also performed very well with Niall pulling just 2 seconds away from his PB, and Eddie pulling the second fastest ergometre of the day at 6.13.

Matthew (left) and Andrew warming up for the 2k erg test

A few minutes later

The sculling Time Trial was raced on the long narrow stretch of river in the heart of Newry. This resulted in calm conditions, but also unavoidable clashes when passing out slower scullers.

Rowers queuing at the start of the 5k time trial

Andrew started in 26th position in the Junior scullers category, and fought his way up to equal 15th. Matthew began the race in 31st, but due to a crash early in the race, he was not able to produce a high finish. Eddie was the only athlete in the heavyweight men’s category, and due to a questionable starting position behind the lightweight scullers, he also crashed early in the race when passing out some of the slower lightweight scullers. Niall powered his way to the finish to be the top lightweight under 23 oarsman at the trial.

All athletes now wait for the National coaches to invite individuals to the next trial in Cork in April. It was a solid performance by Andrew and Matthew, as well as Niall and Eddie. We wish them all the best for the rest of the season.

Limerick Head of the River 2011

The Limerick Head was held on Saturday 29 January in the familiar setting at O’Briens Bridge. Included was the St. Micheal's National Two-Blade Head of the River Championships. This meant that there were many entries across the grades as all rowers wanted to be the fastest sculler in Ireland for 2011.

A fine but cold day brought out a large number of rowers from across Ireland

Rush hour at O’Briens Bridge

The Jes had 6 entries in the Junior men’s sculling race. The competition was fierce and the winner was Paul O’ Donovan from Skibbereen. Matthew Kelly was the highest placed Jes oarsman, followed by Eoin Coughlan who pipped Ian Murphy, Ruben Cruise, David Noone and Patrick Higgins into second place in the Jes Standings.

Matthew Kelly after his row

Limerick saw the Jes Junior Mens four make its first outing of the season, steered very well by Luke Coughlan. The Jes four of Murphy, Bell, Kelly and Eoin Coughlan performed well and were well in the reckoning in the fours division. Also in the fours division were two Jes quads. The coxless quad of Anthony Noone, Conor Coughlan, Dylan Luddy and Patrick Higgins rowed strongly down the course to just beat the coxless quad of Michael Lawless, Robert Flynn, Danny Brehony and Simon Caulfield.

The performance of these two young quads indicate that the club will continue to produce strong, solid rowers in the years to come.

There was some silverware for former Jes Athletes Cormac Folan and Eddie Mullarkey. Both formed part of the Gráinne Mhaol / NUIGBC composite crew that won the Senior 8 and Senior 4. With both the 8 and 4 the fastest two boats during the entire day.

Jes Coach Martin Cassidy also had a busy day, stroking the NUIG Intermediate 8, 4, and 2-.

The crews would like to thank Mairtin Phelan and Ed Bell for transport to the Regatta and also for their help throughout the day.

Some of the Jes Junior Men’s Squad at the end of a long day.

Preseason sculling at Dangan on the Corrib.

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