Twenty Five schools from around the country took part in the 2023 Munster Schools Indoor Rowing Blitz, with over 1,300 students getting involved.
The UL Sport Arena was brought to life from 9:30 am as the schools began to fill the sports hall. There was an incredible atmosphere once the racing kicked off with a full grandstand of students cheering on their classmates.
School sporting events like this blitz are an excellent way to showcase the talents of students and help them develop a competitive spirit.
The majority of the students have no background in rowing but that was never going to get in their way.
It was all about inclusion as well with 14 students from St Vincent’s Centre, Limerick racing head to head in a three-minute mixed ability race.
The closest race of the day came down between two of the Gaelcholaiste Luminigh Open Women’s relay teams with only 0.1 of a second separating them. Both teams had some experienced rowers from the local rowing clubs including Shannon Rowing Club, St Michael’s Rowing Club and Castleconnell Boat Club.
Rowing Ireland President, Neville Maxwell was in attendance to present the overall winning school cups. Coming down to the very last race for the women’s categories, Castletroy College of Limerick and Ursulines of Cork were level on points but Ursulines had one additional win over Castletroy College which won them the 2023 Ailish Sheehan Cup.
CBC Monkstown from Dublin were the clear winner on the men’s side and took home the 2023 Arthur O’Brien Cup.
