Portora Boat Club had a highly successful trip to Nottingham, competing at the 1000m British Rowing Masters’ Championships on Saturday and Sunday.

The event attracted over 800 teams from all four Home Countries, Ireland as well as individuals from across Europe and the USA. Portora travelled with 22 athletes and coaches who took part in 18 Championship and Non Championship events at the six lane National Water Sports Centre.

Arguably the highlight was Portora winning the over 50s men’s Championship coxed four, a crew including Shane McGovern, Men’s Captain who only took up the sport in 2019. The crew powered ahead early and won convincingly.

Gerry Murphy continued his success in the over 60s lightweight single scull winning gold as well silver in a composite four coxed superbly by Rory Farragher. Murphy also combined with Laura Wilkin in a mixed composite crew achieving a Silver in 60- 65 quad sculls.

Women’s Captain Helen Flanagan achieved an outstanding bronze alongside Marcella O’Reilly in the Women’s Championship Double Scull. This crew only started sculling in this combination in April.

Portora also achieved a number of memorable results in non championship events. The Women’s eight achieved a fine second place, Flanagan and O’Reilly combined with Carmel Dane and Siobhan O’Hare to gain two second places in 27-49 and 50-65 quad sculls. Simon Crawford and Chris Allen sculled expertly to gain second in 27-49 double sculls.

Portora’s Rowing Captains were both very pleased. Helen Flanagan brought over 12 rowers, nine of whom went home finishing second or third in one of their events.

“I pay tribute to every one of Portora’s rowers, coxes and coaches. We have all worked hard and made sacrifices, this weekend has shown what Fermanagh’s adult rowers can achieve together,” said Flanagan.

“It’s taken many years of effort to achieve our gold in the coxed four. Everyone in the crew is delighted. We also had great performances in other events too, I am proud of our club,” explained Shane McGovern, Men’s Captain.

Portora’s women and men will not be resting on their laurels with further races planned in the coming months across Ireland.