Another successful weekend was had for the former Portora rower Dineka Maguire.

Maguire competed at the World Rowing Beach Sprint Qualifiers at Duneen Beach, Co Cork last weekend, securing her seat in the mixed quad for the world championships in Wales later this year.

The event seen rowers and competitors from all corners of Ireland take to the waters of Duneen beach, battling it out for the select few spaces to row for Ireland.

Last weekend’s event involved a 500m slalom course around three buoys with a 180 degree turn.

Cian Sweeney began the race at the start line sprinting to the water edge where crew members Niall Beggan/ Noel Credon/ Dineka Maguire and Niamh Doodan entered the boat from the water. At the end of the course it was Niamh Doogan who had to sprint up the beach diving to the buzzer.

The water was relatively calm over the weekend which resulted in fast racing conditions and a spectacular for all spectators watching.

The quad stormed their way to the fastest time in the time trial with eight seconds to the closest crew. This time give the crew an automatic qualification into the semi finals which was later in the day.

The composite crew of Kincasslagh Rowing club/Ring Rowing Club/Loughros Rowing Club/Commercial Rowing Club took on the composite quad of Wicklow Rowing Club/Kilmacsimon Rowing Club/Courtmacsherry Rowing Club.

Maguire and team took a commanding lead in the first 250 metres. The team didn’t let this lead spill in the second part of the race and secured a place into the final.

A composite crew of Donegal Bay Rowing Club/ Shandon Rowing Club/Commercial Rowing Club and Portmagee Rowing Club was the challengers in the final with three of the five crew members representing Ireland at the world championships in 2021.

Maguire and team rowed to the same standard as they had done all day and produced the fastest time of the day securing a place for the world championships.

“It is always a privilege to represent your country on an international stage.

“I have been lucky enough to say I have represented Ireland on a number of occasions, but the feeling never changes when you secure your seat.

“Ireland will be sending a strong team to the world championships this year so hopefully we will have some good results to talk about in October,” said Dineka.

Maguire and fellow team member Niamh Doogan will also be hoping to qualify the women’s double at the next qualifying event which is been held in Portnoo at the start of June.