Four standout athletes from Donegal are set to represent Ireland on the international stage at the third Home International Rowing (HIR) Beach Sprints, taking place this weekend in Bournemouth, England.
Competing against top-tier talent from England, Scotland, and Wales, the Irish team will battle it out across various categories.
Beach sprints, known for its explosive speed and unpredictable nature, feature athletes sprinting on foot before launching into their boats, navigating the surf, and racing to the finish.
It’s a test of skill, strength, and composure under pressure – and Donegal’s four finest are more than ready for the challenge.
This year’s event brings together around 60 elite athletes from each participating nation, competing in Senior Men, Senior Women, Junior Men, and Junior Women categories. Among the Irish team’s 10 elite rowers, four are from Donegal, reinforcing the region’s growing reputation as a powerhouse in Irish rowing:
Eva Shovlin, a 16-year-old rising star from Loughros Point Rowing Club (LPRC), will take on the Junior 19 (J19) Women’s Single category. Making her beach sprint debut, Shovlin earned her place on the Irish team after excelling at the national trials in June, where she also secured a spot at the prestigious Coupe de la Jeunesse. Her fearless energy and raw talent make her one to watch, competing in endurance events for 3 year’s with several national medals in the past 2, following the HIR she will represent Ireland again n Los Alcazores, Spain at the beginning of November to compete at the Coupe de la Jeunesse beach sprints alongside fellow Donegal rower Grace Masterson from DBRC.
In the Senior Mixed Double category, Michael O’Boyle and Lucy Bracken, also from LPRC, will race as a duo. Both are stepping into senior competition for the first time, but O’Boyle brings the experience of an international medal, having clinched bronze at the Coupe de la Jeunesse Beach Sprints in Italy last year. Together, their chemistry and competitive edge promise an electrifying performance.
Méabh McNamara, of Donegal Bay Rowing Club (DBRC), is the most seasoned of the Donegal rowers. Competing in the Under-23 (U23) Mixed Double alongside Alexander Graham-Smythe from Commercial RC in Dublin, McNamara brings a wealth of international experience, with several medal-winning performances for Ireland under her belt and recently claiming bronze in the Irish Championship’s in the womens single. They will be a crew to watch out for!
At the helm of the Irish team is Shaun Molloy, Team Manager and Head Coach from Loughros Point. Molloy has been a driving force in growing the sport in the North West and is key to Ireland’s success in this event. His leadership has helped put Donegal athletes at the forefront of Irish rowing on the international stage. LPRC hosted the Irish Championships in 2023, The Irish Beach Sprint Trials in 2024 and is currently one of two Irish rowing clubs in the bid to host The Home International Rowing Beach Sprints 2025, hopefully bring the event to Donegal.
The HIR Beach Sprints promises intense competition as each nation vies for victory in this high-octane, fast-paced rowing format, set against the dramatic backdrop of Bournemouth’s stunning coastline.
Best of luck to our team as they showcase their skills on one of rowing’s most dynamic platforms.
Getting into rowing?
If anyone is interested in rowing, they can get in contact with their nearest club. There are three Rowing Ireland affiliated clubs in Donegal; Donegal Bay RC, Loughros Point RC and Kincasslgh RC. Details can be found on their Facebook pages.
The HIR Beach Sprints is building off the rich history of its sister event, the Home International Rowing Regatta, which has seen many Olympians racing for their first international representation. The event is a great opportunity to gain experience in the Beach Sprint format for those who hope to row for Ireland at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028.
The HIR Beach Sprints will create a clear pathway for Ireland’s national teams in the decades to come.
What are Beach Sprints?
Beach Sprints are a head-to-head elimination style of racing, with a short sprint along the beach, a 250m row, and a 180-degree turn before rowing back to the beach and sprinting to the finish line. Competitions are structured so that athletes who progress further are required to race multiple times within a short time window. This discipline of rowing tests power and strength, as well as coastal navigation skills and performance under fatigue.
