The Coupe de la Jeunesse 2024 kicked off this weekend in Račice, Czechia, bringing together young rowing talents from across Europe. Under clear skies and perfect racing conditions, Irish crews delivered exceptional performances on Day 1 of this prestigious event. A massive congratulations to all the athletes and coaches for their incredible efforts!

Gold for JW4- Crew
The Junior Women’s Four (JW4-) crew, consisting of Aida Hehir (St. Michaels RC), Cloda Phillips (St. Michaels RC), Jessica Crowley (Skibbereen RC), and Lorna McNamara (Castleconnell BC), showed their class by securing a gold medal. After finishing second in their heat, the crew powered through to claim first place in the A final, bringing home the gold for Ireland.

Silver in JW1x
Aoife Hendy of Skibbereen RC put on a stellar performance in the Junior Women’s Single Sculls (JW1x). She finished second in her heat, earning a spot in the A final, where she rowed with determination to secure a silver medal. Hendy’s achievement highlights her exceptional talent and hard work.

Bronze for JW4x- Crew
The Junior Women’s Quad (JW4x-), featuring Sophia Young (Methodist College), Sibéal Ní Fhlaithbheartaigh (Castleconnell BC), Sarah Walsh (Sligo RC), and Louise Forrester (Shandon BC), demonstrated their competitive spirit by finishing third in their heat. In the A final, they delivered a strong performance to win the bronze medal, adding another success to Ireland’s tally.

Finalist Performances
The Junior Men’s Quad (JM4x) of Daniel Fleming (Muckross RC), Adam Kenny (Athlone BC), Eoin Balfe (St. Michaels RC), and Ian Coffey (Muckross RC) showed great determination, finishing third in their heat. Although they qualified for the B final, they narrowly missed out on a top-three finish, coming in fourth.

In the Junior Men’s Single Sculls (JM1x), Richard Heaslip of Athlone BC gave a commendable performance, finishing third in his heat. He then competed in the B final, where he placed sixth overall, showcasing his perseverance and skill against a tough field.

Looking Ahead
Day 1 of the Coupe de la Jeunesse 2024 has already seen Irish rowers shine on the international stage, bringing home medals and personal bests. The entire team’s dedication and hard work were evident in every race, setting a strong foundation for the days to come. We look forward to more successes as the competition continues! Well done to all the athletes and coaches on their outstanding performances!