Twenty-four members of Dublin’s GAA team, including Dermot Connolly and Bernard Brogan, took part in a private training event at St Patrick’s Rowing Club in Ringsend in mid-June.
“The event was to get them all together and do some extra training in the boats in an effort to toughen their arms, because rowing is a very physical sport which improves your upper arms and body,” said John Doyle, a community worker in Clanna Gael and member of St Patrick’s Rowing Club.
The Manager of the Dublin team, Jim Gavin, approached John about letting the lads do a few sessions at the club. The sessions lasted for the best part of a day and included a sprint up the Liffey in pre-organised races spearheaded by the club and Gavin. The races included two heats and a final to Samuel Beckett Bridge and back to the East Link Bridge.
“We had an absolutely brilliant day with them, the weather was magnificent and they enjoyed it tremendously,” said John. “We pulled out marquees, water, energy drinks, food, we pulled out all the stops basically,” he said.
St Patrick’s is a common stop for professional athletes. The Dublin Hurling team, who recently won the Leinster Final, took part in a low-key session at the club a few months ago and other athletic organisations from the UK have used the club in the past.
Pictures supplied by John Doyle.
By Liam Cahill
