Erne Head of the River: Rowers battle the weather to impress

The wind was a factor followed by snow but on the day the races went ahead in cold windy conditions the event was superbly run by ERGS, volunteers and local sponsors and retained its top-class status.

The women's race in the morning had the worst of weather but all crews finished and it was a resounding success for the rowers from Enniskillen Royal Boat Club (ERBC).

The J18 eight crew of Eva Johnston, Rhea Cartin-McCloskey, Ruby Hamill, Naomi Robinson, Acorn Cassidy, Isabella Wright, Zara Welsh and cox Jessica Thompson dominated from start to finish and on the way negotiated their way past some slower crews a tribute to their cox.

If they keep their feet on the ground a good season beckons as they beat some Irish Championship contenders.

They were third in the overall rankings.

The J16 crew were not to be outdone, even with a last-minute crew change when the cox Errie Powell had to row in the stroke seat, an unusual switch to say the least.

St. Michaels of Limerick and two other crews were left in their wake.

The crew was made up of Sienna Howe, Mya Morris, Hannah Armstrong, Zara Lindsay, Amy Lipscomb, Meabh Murphy, Milenia Remedios, Errie Powell and cox Abbey Wilson.

The J15 octuple - eight rowers with two oars each- were their usual compact unit and won well from St. Ignatius College, Galway and put a few older crews behind them as well.

This was a tough race for two younger rowers - Campbell and Williamson - who were rowing up a grade.

Brooke Davis, Amy Williamson, Aoibhin Campbell, Grace Collins, Abbie McCarthy-Magwood, Darcy Balfour, Emily Black, Tori Davis and cox Katelyn Fee were the victorious unit.

ERBC in the Women's Junior 8 15 8x made up of Brooke Davis, Amy Williamson, Aoibhin Campbell, Grace Collins, Abbie McCarthy-Magwood, Darcy Balfour, Emily Black Tori Davis and cox Katelyn Fee. (Image: Tim Flaherty)

The J14 octuple of Eva Fowler, Aimee Turner, Clodagh Donaghy, Leah Topping, Freya McNeary, Maeve Rolston, Penny Huddleston, Flavia Remedios and cox Rachel Cathcart beat both the elements and a Methodist College crew and another crew from ERBC. 

It was a relentless row by these young water athletes.

In a miraculous turnaround in the weather, that we only get in Fermanagh, the men's race took place in Spring-like conditions.

The J18 race was a classic Head of the River race when many things can happen mainly because the race is processional and not rowed in lanes.

Enniskillen RBC Mens Junior B 8 come up to the finish line. (Image: Tim Flaherty)

The ERBC crew started in a determined fashion and were going well for about three miles when their racing line was blocked by a slower crew which caused a deviation around the Sillees bend and allowed their perennial pursuers, St. Joseph's College, Galway to sneak in and win by a margin of three seconds.

They say sportspeople learn more from setbacks and this could prove to be the case again this season.

Four other crews finished behind these two front runners.

In the J16 race, the ERBC crew was second behind Neptune but beat seven other crews.

This crew will also learn from the race and come back stronger.

The crew was Christian Timoney, Eoghan Campbell, Charlie Lynn, Andrew Cuthbertson, Lorcan Srennivasan, Harley Sheppard, Jake Sembhi and cox Jessica Thompson.

In the J15 octuple race, ERBC won well from Methodist College with Cillian Donaghy, Ollie Powell, Joshua Inhat, Matthew Montgomery, Oliver McNeary, Ryan Thomas, Shane O'Donnell, Jacob Woods and cox Cameron Bell on board.

There were two local crews in the J14 race where the main aim was to give racing experience and the A crew of Caelan Moore, Joel Crean, Oliver Jennings, James McAleer, Evan Clarke, Adam Bullock, Reece Brady, Harry Welsh and cox Daisy O'Hare were ahead of the B crew.

Portora Boat Club also had a successful Erne Head of the River.  

The Women’s Masters crew led by Marcella O’Reilly raced down averaging 30 strokes per minute.  After overtaking Portadown at the Killyhevlin Hotel, the crew managed to pull away from the Neptune/ Carlow composite crew to win by 15 seconds. 

This is the first time a Portora Women’s crew has won the Masters pennant at the Erne Eights Head. 

The Portora Women's Masters Crew. (Image: Impartial Reporter)

After winning at Newry and Lagan the crew has a triple crown of long distance Ulster titles in 2024.

The Men’s Masters crew were also successful against possibly the toughest Masters field ever assembled in Ireland.  

Coxed by Rory Farragher, the crew had a strong row and despite a significant mishap at the West Bridge, they finished in an excellent third position behind the winners Neptune from Dublin and a Belfast/Commercial composite crew.

Portora also fielded a second women’s crew with the Enniskillen Royal Boat Club. 

This boat was a blend of youth and experience with an age range of 16 to 61.

Despite never having rowed together before the crew held their composure and had a credible race in atrocious wind and rain.

Saturday’s event was a special one for Lisnaskea’s McCreesh family. 

Mum Mary and dad Colm were racing for Portora’s Women’s and Men’s crews respectively, whilst daughter Aine finished runner-up overall in the women’s division. 

Portora Chairman Valerie Crawford was in the winning eight and paid tribute to the volunteers. 

“The Erne Head is one of the biggest and most inclusive sporting events in County Fermanagh, it is also one of the top rowing competitions in Ireland. 

"All of us at Portora are so grateful to Enniskillen Royal Boat Club and their army of volunteers who keep us safe and run a terrific event.  

"It was fitting to see Head of Rowing Derek Holland officially recognised on Saturday by Sport NI, we are lucky that he and his wife Jane settled in Fermanagh.  Well done Derek.”

A special mention also goes to the rowers from Peterborough who travelled over the Masters event.

Portora will next be competing over a 1000m sprint course in Dublin in a month.