A TALENTED young rower from Neptune Rowing Club located on the Liffey at Islandbridge has been selected to represent Ireland at a prestigious international rowing regatta later this month.
Jack Butler will be taking part in the Coupe de la Jeunesse from July 27-29 when he’ll team up with 31 other athletes – 16 guys and 16 girls – and take to the water proudly wearing the green of Ireland.
The Coupe de la Jeunesse is an annual regatta, open to rowers 18 years or under, rowed over 2,000 metres and Jack earned his place on the team following extensive trials.
The Irish rowers will compete against young rowers from Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland in Cork upon the dark waters of Inniscarra Lake at the National Rowing Centre.
Jack will join rowers from Limerick, Wicklow, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Wexford and as far north as Fermanagh and Londonderry.
Under the expert guidance of coaches Pat McInerney, Dan Buckley, John Walsh and team manager Emily Dulohery, they’ll take part in several races over the course of the weekend; Single, Double and Quad Sculls and in the Sweep category Eights, Fours and Pairs.
This two-day team event, which was founded in 1985, is a dramatic showcase of skill, strength, and teamwork like no other with points awarded to nations based on finishing position in each category.
As a result, a strong overall team is required to take overall victory at the Coupe.
The regatta, which encourages young rowers, has become a platform in Ireland for starting the international careers of some of our most successful and decorated Irish rowers such as Gary O‘Donovan and Shane O’Driscoll.
Michelle Carpenter, new Chief Executive of Rowing Ireland, said she was proud of the 32 young rowers who will represent our country, in what is fast becoming, a mainstream sport in Ireland.
“These athletes have already showcased so much passion, dedication and skill during trials and training, that podium finishers or not, they are our winners,” she added.
“To all the other Irish rowers who were unsuccessful on this occasion, I implore them to keep on rowing and someday they will also hopefully represent their club and country.
“This was one of the most competitive years we have witnessed, with so many excellent athletes fighting for their spot.
“We are so excited to welcome young rowers from 13 countries across Europe to our fantastic home here at the National Rowing Centre in Farran Wood.
“I would encourage the Irish public to make the trip to Cork to witness an amazing display of skill for what promises to be a great weekend for competitors and spectators alike.”
For more information on the Coupe de la Jeunesse see www.coupe2018.ie or to find out how you can get involved in rowing visit the Rowing Ireland website www.rowingireland.ie.