This article is from page 56 of the 2011-09-06 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 56 JPG
CURRACH racing has long been popular in west Clare and Doonbeg Rowing Club has firmly put the area on the map in recent weeks.
The club has just won the Clare league for the second year in succession. Kieran Browne (19) and brothers Alan (24) and Eoin (22) Honan were successful in each of their races during the year, to secure the title.
They won seven events to secure the cup. There is still one event outstanding – in Kilkee at the start of October – but they have secured enough points in advance of this, to win outright. They will be officially crowned champions at the final race.
They have been busy during the year in their chosen sport. They competed in the All-Ireland championships in Doonbeg in August, in which they finished in third place. The trio were joined in their currach by Eamon Enright from Clarecastle, when they finished third in the Naomh Óg event in Cork in March.
This was the third year that Kieran, Alan and Eoin were involved in currach racing. They secured a number of second places in their first year and were thrilled to win last year and again this year.
According to Kieran’s father David, it all goes down to dedication and training. “They train on Tuesday and Thursday nights. They train themselves. They are very dedicated,” he said.
They are well supported by their club colleagues. Currach racing is hugely popular in Doonbeg and there are around 30 members in the club.
David said there are hopes for further progress over the coming years.
“The club is going well. If you put in the work, you get the results. The aim is to win the All-Ireland. In the next year or two, they will be there or thereabouts,” he said.
Kieran is delighted with his success and is hopeful of further accolades in the future, having been introduced to the sport by his brother Damien.
“My brother was doing it a couple of years ago. They coaxed me along,” he said.
They plan to take part in the Galway league next year and are looking forward to the challenge. “We are hoping to take part in Galway. The boats will be different, racing boats. Ours are fishing boats. They will be faster boats,” said Kieran.