Local rower Dineka Maguire – who now competes for Kincasslagh Rowing Club -–and teammate Niamh Doogan recently flew to Oeiras, Portugal to take part in the World Offshore Rowing Championships.

It had been a rough year of training, with the girls training from their bedrooms and back gardens to eventually come together to take on the best in the world.

Upon arrival things were not going to get any easier as scheduled training slots were cancelled due to rough conditions. However, this did not phase the girls, and they went into the heats with confidence and determination.

On the first day of racing the girls took on the heat and had to qualify in the top ten to make the A final.

They rowed a superb race, keeping a few pips ahead on the Monaco double to qualify ninth to make the A final.

Overnight, the rough conditions picked up, making racing conditions even more difficult.

A longer race of 6km compared to the 4km in the heat was scheduled for the final. Event organisers also changed the start to a standing stand to help with the conditions building up out at sea.

The girls lined up for the final with boat handlers Luke Keeney, Tony Mannix and Declan Crowley, and were ready to go.

Rockets

The buzzer went and the girls took off like rockets, leading the field in second place until the event organisers called a false start by the Russian duo.

The pair lined up for a second time and wanted to get off to the same start as they did previously. The buzzer went for a second time, and not only did they secure second place, but pushed up one to first place and led the field to the first buoy.

“After the false start myself and Niamh was frustrated, we had got off to such a good start,” said Dineka.

“However, we just said to ourselves it wasn’t a fluke and we would just do it again.

“The buzzer went for a second time, and to see ourselves leading the world stage gave us a great confidence boost.

“Our training had paid off, and we are now in the race, so let’s give it a good rattle!”

The girls stormed to the first buoy and around the course, but the restricted amount of training due to the pandemic played a role in the increasingly rough conditions.

The pair finished the race in 19th position, which was a great achievement for the new duo in challenging conditions.

They now set their sights on improving their standings at Wales next year where they do it all over again.

The girls would like to give a big thank-you to everyone who helped them get to Portugal.

They couldn’t have done it without all the help of Paul and James McGonagle, Stella Maris Rowing Club, Butterrock Restaurant, LE Graphics, Peter Doyle, Margaurite Deasy, Tony Mannix, Declan Crowley and Rubenetti Boats.