Schools Regatta 2026

Last Sunday (26th April) saw 394 entries from all corners of Ireland; from Bantry to Coleraine, and from New Ross to Sligo compete in the annual Schools Regatta at O’Briens Bridge Co. Clare. The sun was shining and the girls were in top form in their new white Salerno tank tops.

All the Salerno girls competed brilliantly and none of our crews were outside the top 3 in any of the events in which they competed. Unfortunately a win eluded them on the day.

The climax of the regatta, and last race of the day was the senior girls eights, which saw a fantastic battle between Salerno and Enniskillen Royal School. Unfortunately, the Northern girls won out, and Salerno had to settle for second place. The crew was Maebh Cooke, Carragh Coffey, Laura Carolan, Ciara Stapleton, Ciara McCallion, Ella Couturier, Ciara McMorrow, Beatrice Kelly and Lily Couturier. Limerick’s Laurel Hill took third place in this event with Colaiste Iognaid in fourth.

In the smaller boat classes at this level; Salerno finished 3rd in both the fours and the pairs events. The four was Laura Carolan, Ella Couturier, Ciara Stapleton, Carragh Coffey; while Laura and Carragh also rowed the pair.

In the other eights event, the Under 16 eights, the result was the same as the senior eights, with our girls again finishing second to Enniskillen. The crew which again did Salerno proud were Maebh Cooke, Beatrice Kelly, Lily Couturier, Ciara McMorrow, Ciara McCallion, Lucy O’Connor, Emily Boyle, Aobha Garvin, Ornaith Egan.

Perhaps the stand-out Salerno performance of the day came in U16 quads event, which had a highly competitive field of 17 entries. After a titanic struggle Salerno were just pipped on the line, and finished 2nd to Enniskillen Royal School again. The crew Maebh Cooke, Emily Boyle, Ciara McMorrow, Lily Couturier, Ciara McCallion.

At Under 14 level, Salerno’s sole competitor Ciara Boyle who led for most of the race  finished a highly creditable 2nd to Molly Lynch of Santa Sabina College in Dublin.

The girls had a fantastic day, they were great ambassadors for their school and were good sports despite their disappointment at not coming away with a medal.