Rosscarbery Rowing Club capped a superb 2026 season with a historic double at the South West Rowing Association's annual awards night and dinner dance in the Celtic Ross Hotel. The club was named the Celtic Ross South West Rowing Club of the Year and also won the Teddy Burns Underage Club of the Year Cup, awarded to the club with the most points across all five championship regattas in the underage categories.
Both awards were presented by Anne Downey of the Celtic Ross Hotel, main sponsors of the championship. As The Southern Star put it, the two awards reflect success that goes far beyond individual results: they recognise the work put in right through the year, from our youngest rowers up through the ranks.
It is the club's fourth Club of the Year title, after 2014, 2015 and 2018, and a second Teddy Burns Cup following 2022, just in time for our 40th anniversary in 2027.
The season in brief
- Five South West championship titles: Under 14, Under 16, Under 16 Ladies, Under 18 and Under 18 Ladies
- Irish Coastal Rowing Champions: Under 12 and Under 16
- County Final winners: Under 16
- Club of the Day at the Baltimore Regatta
A big year for South West rowing
The 2026 calendar was a packed one: five championship regattas in Glandore, Union Hall, Baltimore, Castletownshend and Schull, a county final back in Castletownshend, and the Southern Star Schools Regatta on our own Lagoon. Around 150 crews took to the water at each championship regatta, and two new race categories were added this season.
Twelve clubs make up the South West Rowing Association, and the dinner dance is the night the rivalry on the water gives way to friendship. Congratulations to every club on their season, and especially to Richie Browne of Myross Rowing Club, who received the Pat Joe Harrington Volunteer of the Year Memorial Plaque for more than 50 years of service to rowing.
Thank you
A season like this is built by volunteers: coaches, coxes, drivers, bakers, boat movers and the parents who make every early start happen. Thank you to the local community for your ongoing support, to our sponsors, to the Celtic Ross Hotel, and to Ray of RapidBroadband.ie, whose livestreams brought South West racing to supporters near and far.
Congratulations to every rower who pulled on the purple this year.
Training continues all winter
The season may be over, but training carries on through the winter months. New rowers of all ages are welcome: see the training times or get in touch.
