Last weekend two talented rowers from New Ross, Luke Sutton and Ben Webb wore the Ireland jersey in the annual regatta between Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales at the Home International Regatta held in Strathclyde, Scotland.

This prestigeous sporting event is regarded as the pathway to Irish senior team selection and where the likes of the O’Donovan’s started off on their path to Olympic success. Luke and Ben qualified for this regatta from there fantastic results at the Irish Championships two weeks rarlier.

Luke Sutton was selected to race the senior men’s lightweight double beside Ciaran Scanlon, a Waterford native now rowing for UCD. The boys trained hard for the week leading up to this regatta at New Ross Boat Club under the guidance of local coach Janet Walsh.

On race day the boys were up against a really strong Scottish double who both competed at the under 23 world championships the previous year for Great Britain. The Irish crew took on the Scottish boys and rowed a super race to finish runners-up just three seconds behind the experienced Scottish double. This was Luke’s third successful year representing his country a great achievement.

Ben Webb was selected to race in the junior men’s double with Aaron Keogh of Three Castles Boat Club, Dublin. Ben travelled to Blessington where he trained with the junior squad for the week coached by Neptune coach Colm Butler. Ben and Aaron raced a gutsy race and never gave up closing in on the Scottish and English but just came up short crossing the line in third place. This was a fantastic finish by the boys.
Both New Ross athletes should be very proud of their achievement and both enjoyed the opportunity to row for their country. This is a step on the ladder of hopefully more Irish selection for these boys in the coming years.