Success on the double for leading Mayo rowing club
PEOPLE the length and breadth of Ireland have followed the outstanding successes of members of Skibbereen Rowing Club – including the O’Donovans and McCarthys – on the world rowing scene for the past decade.
Now we have a club in Mayo, Tullaghan Bay Rowing Club, that could rival and emulate the Cork club if we are to go by the success 13 of their members had at national championships in 2023.
As a result, Tullaghan Bay Rowing Club's 13 medal winners were honoured at the annual Connaught Telegraph Mayo Young Sports Stars Awards 2023 in Breaffy House Resort last Friday.
They were the recipients of the 2023 rowing award – and to make it an even better night for the club, the 2023 Volunteer of the Year award went to Leah Gaughan for her outstanding work as PRO, coach and dedicated member of the committee.
But while it was a great event for the14 recipients, it was also a magnificent night for the close-knit community surrounding Tullaghan Bay Rowing Club. This close-knit group have been responsible for not alone putting their small rural village in north Mayo on the map, but getting Mayo rowing to the fore in what is fast becoming a big national sport.
At the presentation of their award, Michael Cormack, speaking on behalf of the 13 winners, was quick to pay tribute to their club members for their success. “We are privileged to receive this award for rowing.
But it would not have been possible only for the fantastic members of the club and coaches. They have put in endless hours for getting the sport up and running in our small village and after many years of training we are reaping the rewards.
“I think the club will go from strength to strength and this success we have had in 2023 is going to get better and better with each year that passes.
"The number of young children in the area taking up the sport is brilliant and as you can see from the award winners here tonight, the prospect of some of our rowers taking on the top in our country in years to come is more than a possibility.”
On receiving her 2023 Volunteer of the Year award, Leah Gaughan reiterated how special a night it was for the club.
“Personally, while I was thrilled and honoured to be awarded the Volunteer of the Year award, our club has been successful because we have a great number of volunteers in the club who have for years given up most of their free time and continue today to do so, to drive on the club and get as many as possible in our small area interested in the sport.
"We are where we are today on account of all those who helped to set up the club. I am so glad to receive this award on all their behalf.”
It was a memorable night for Tullaghan Bay Rowing Club, with members of the local community coming out in droves to support the local award winners – and I have a feeling this will not be the last time we will see the club picking awards at The Connaught Telegraph Mayo Young Sports Stars Awards.
The only pity was that due to unforeseen circumstances, one of the club's great members, Mary Talbot Walsh, who was very helpful in organising the award winners and supporters for the awards night, was unable to be there to witness the great occasion.