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Last Saturday over 1,000 canoeists converged on the small village of Straffon in Co. Kildare, in anticipation of the 50th annual International Liffey Descent. This event is the second largest river race in the world, attracting participants from the UK, Europe and as far afield as South Africa. The race is a total of eighteen miles in length. Along the way, paddlers must also negotiate ten major weirs as-well as a 500 metre run with their canoe/kayak around Leixlip Dam. The ESB kindly ensure flooded conditions each year, releasing a 4 megawatt flood from their Hydro Electric Power Station up-stream of the start line.
The country’s largest rural canoe club, Thomastown Paddlers had fifteen paddlers competing in Saturday’s descent, across six different classes. The result of the day for the Kilkenny club was surely the win of Mickie Brennan in the Men’s General Purpose class. Mickie boasts quite a canoeing C.V. His highlight was representing his country at the junior world Marathon Championships in Bergen, Norway in 2004. He also won the Junior K1 section of the Liffey Descent three years in a row between the years of 2002-2004. He has also gained honours in many big races in the UK and in more recent times has started to make an impression in free-style canoeing competitions (Like aerobics on water!). His win on Saturday brought his tally of medals on the Liffey to: four gold and one silver. Not only did Mickie win, but he also knocked an amazing two and a half minutes of the previous best time in this class, crossing the line in a time of 2 hours and 14 minutes. Also in this class were Cathal Treacy (8th), Martyn “Murt” Walsh (12th), Kieran Varley (65th) and David Comerford (71st).
Thomastown Paddlers were also to taste gold in the Boy’s General Purpose division. Eoin Doyle, in his maiden Liffey Descent, had a truly magnificent run down the race course and showed his strength in the last mile of the race to hold off a late challenge from the second place paddler. He won in a time of 2 hours and 37 minutes, 30 seconds ahead of his next rival.
In the Women’s General Purpose group, Caroline Keane and Clodagh Doyle certainly did their club and county proud. Although both girls have plenty of paddling experience under their belts, this was also their debut in the Liffey Descent. Both girls had a couple of near misses along their descent to the finish at Islandbridge, in Dublin’s city centre, but capped of a fine day for the Kilkenny club to capture 2nd and 3rd positions respectively.
The fastest Thomastown boat to complete the Liffey Descent on Saturday was the K2 crew of Paul Forristal and Robin Newsome. The mixture of experience and youth proved to be a good one as they completed the course in a very respectable 2 hours and 03 minutes. In the Men’s K1 class Donnacha Brennan had a fine day out finishing in a time of 2 hours and 10 minutes taking 12th place. Johnny Dunne was just a little further back in 16th. In Boy’s K1 Anthony Forristal was just outside the medals in fourth, despite capsizing twice and breaking his paddle with a mile remaining in the race. The final Thomastown boat in action was the Open Canadian of Thomas Erbsloh and David McCormack. The lads have been improving steadily all year and finished in 28th position.
To complete the Liffey Descent safe and sound is an achievement in itself, but to take honours is something really special. Thomastown Paddlers have shown through the years that they are a force to be reckoned with and the future certainly looks bright, as very large numbers have been out on the waters of Carlow and Kilkenny all summer long. Evening sessions have now ceased for 2009, and anyone interested in trying out the sport will be able to find all the information they need on www.thomastownpaddlers.4t.com, however recruitment is usually not until mid-Spring, as the colds of winter approach.
Thomastown Paddlers Canoe ClubThomastown Paddlers Canoe Club took part in two marathon races over the past two weekends. There are twelve such races on the Irish Marathon calendar, which take place on different rivers up and down the country. These races vary in distance from five – twenty miles and offer paddlers of all abilities the opportunity to test their wits against canoeists from other canoe clubs in their chosen category.
Nore Ranking Race Sunday 20th April 2009On Sunday April 20th, over fifty canoeists from all over the country descended on the small village of Bennetsbridge, Co. Kilkenny, to take part in the marathon canoe race which takes place there each year. This Race was run over a stretch of the River Nore, between the towns of Bennetsbridge and Thomastown, five miles in total. Along the course of the river, paddlers had to negotiate numerous sets of rapids as well as the big “V” weir at Bennetsbridge, which was at a very difficult height. The race catered for all types of craft, from the very fast and unstable “K-Boat” classes, to the more relaxed and recreational Open Canadian divisions. Being a local race, it was no surprise that the Thomastown Paddlers were out in large numbers across many of these classes.
In the fastest class of the day, the K2 class, Thomastown were to take the spoils with Paul Forristal and Johnny Dunne setting out their stall for future races this year. The lads had a great start and powered into the lead from the off, however a capsize on the big weir at Bennetsbridge meant that they would now have to work for the win having dropped several minutes whilst re-entering their boat. But they did just that and with just over a mile to go to the finish, they reclaimed a lead, which they did not relinquish.
In the K1 classes Thomastown Paddlers were represented by Robin Newsome, Donnacha Brennan, Ian Dempsey and Anthony Forristal. Off the start it was Donnacha Brennan who powered into an early lead, however a capsize at Bennetsbridge weir cost him both time and positions. Robin Newsome was next through the weir and successfully too. Robin went on to paddle a very good race and finish in second position, while Donnacha Brennan claimed third spot on re-entry. Ian Dempsey and Anthony Forristal also fell victim to the weir at Bennetsbridge but both had good races thereafter.
Next up at the start were the General Purpose boats. These are slightly more stable boats, yet the competition is every bit as fierce as the faster “K-Boat” classes. In the Men’s category all eyes were on the dual between Thomastown Paddler – Kieran Varley and Dublin paddler – Mark Redmond, who have been very close in previous races. Kieran had a great start, but yet again, he also had a capsize at Bennetsbridge weir which ultimately cost him any chance of a first place finish. He did re-enter his kayak however and finish in second place. Also in this field were Dave Comerford and David Wilson who had clean races throughout.
In the Women’s section, Clodagh Doyle eased to victory for Thomastown, with Marie Barry claiming 3rd spot in only her second outing of 2009. While in the boy’s group, Eoin Doyle took home gold for the Thomastown Club, with 11 year old Eamon Forristal finishing 3rd in only his second ever race.
The final class of the day was for the big Open Canadians. Thomastown’s hopes fell on the shoulders of Mickey Brennan and Cathal Treacy and the pair won in some spectacular style. A semi-capsize at Bennetsbridge weir brought the biggest cheer of the day from the large crowd of spectators who had gathered to watch the race unfold. Having gotten their Barings together, the lads completed the course comfortably to add yet another win for the Thomastown Club. All in all, a good day on the river.
Celbridge Ranking Race Sunday 26th April 2009Thomastown Paddlers took to the road again last Sunday, making the trip to Celbridge Co. Kildare, for the annual marathon organised by the Celbridge Paddlers Canoe Club. This race was run on the Grand Canal on a lap circuit. Conditions were almost perfect although a strong breeze meant canoeists had to work that extra bit harder against the wind.
For the Thomastown Club, result of the day was the first place finish of Paul Forristal and Johnny Dunne, to make it two wins in as many races. What made this result so significant was that the crew beat off opposition from some top paddlers from the larger Dublin clubs. Thomastown also took the honours in the Girls General Purpose (GP) class, where Cáit Broderick placed first in her first ever marathon event.
In the Men’s single racing kayaks, Donnacha Brennan and Robin Newsome finished fourth and sixth respectively in what was a very strong Men’s Division 3 field, while Anthony Forristal and Ian Dempsey represented the club in Division 4.
Across the other GP classes Thomastown also enjoyed success. Kieran Varley was one of three boats involved in a sprint for the finish line in the Men’s GP category. In what was an energy-draining sprint Kieran managed to secure second place, losing out on top spot by inches. Murt Walsh and Philip Brennan also competed in this class. In the Women’s GP group, Marie Barry improved on her 3rd place in Bennetsbridge a week prior, by claiming second at Celbridge on Sunday. The final representatives in Sunday’s race for Thomastown Paddlers were Eoin Doyle and Eamon Forristal who competed in Boy’s GP. Eoin had a strong race but in the end had to settle for second place while Eamon finished in fifth place. Finally spare a taught for Alex Broderick and Richie Kelly who had to retire early from the race due to a technical difficulty.
Thomastown Paddlers next marathon is on the River Liffey, between Ballymore-Eustace and Kilcullen on May 17th.