Irish Squad benefit from Cork rowing centre camp:

Olympics: a realistic dream for some

         Talented Irish rowers took part in a very successful training camp at the National Rowing Centre in Farran, county Cork from January 5th to 16th. The rowers, members of the U-23 and senior Irish squad, were invited to the training camp because of their achievements to date and their potential for success. For those present, the 2012 Olympics is an optimistic possibility as it's so close, but for some, the 2016 Olympiad is a realistic hope. These rowers are among our finest and were drawn from all over the country. Many are based in Cork City, within easy reach of the National Rowing Centre.

         Among those taking part were Niall Kenny (21), a Galway rower now based at Friar's Walk in Cork. Niall rows full-time and aims on building on his success to date. Niall was a silver medal winner at the U-23 World Championships in 2010 and is training hard with the ambition of going one better this year and taking the gold at the upcoming World Championships in Amsterdam.

"Qualification for the London Olympics in 2012 will be very tough, but something I dream of achieving" - Niall Kenny (right)

              Also benefitting from the camp were Skibbereen rower Mark O'Donovan (22),  Skibereen's Justin Ryan (20), Limerick's Peter Hanily (20), all now based in and around Cork city. Others drawn from across Ireland included Michael Maher from Dublin, Colin Williamson of Queen's Univeristy Belfast and Sanita Puspure from Dublin. NIALL KENNY appears to be the star however.

           
           Rowing Ireland athletes based in Cork benefit not only from top-class, unrivalled facilities but also from the presence of experienced full-time Rowing Ireland professionals Mark McElroy (performance director), Adrian Cassidy (chief coach) and Rob Baker (lead U-23 coach). To be the best, you need the best; 2012 now looms large.