Pictures: Joy as Cork Boat Club win national title after thrilling senior eights battle at Irish Rowing Championships

This great photograph captures the thrilling moment that Cork Boat Club made history by winning the men's senior eights title at the Irish Rowing Championships last weekend.

The championships were held across Friday to Sunday at the National Rowing Centre on Inniscarra Lake in Farran, County Cork, and this was the first time that a Cork crew won the national title at the Irish Rowing Championships, which began more than 100 years ago in 1912.

In a fitting and thrilling finale to the championships, which always concludes with the pacey men's senior eight, the spectators were treated to another exciting race for this coveted title between University College Dublin Boat Club, Commercial Rowing Club, and Cork Boat Club.

The mighty men of Cork Boat Club were out for revenge following their defeats in 2022 and 2023 to University College Dublin Boat Club, and this showdown didn't disappoint.

Cork Boat Club maintained their composure across the 2,000m course and powered their way over the line to win by three-quarters of a boat length to huge cheers from the onlookers... and cue the celebrations.

What it meant to this Cork crew is obvious from our pictures today, courtesy of John O'Shaughnessy, in what is the oldest championship in Irish rowing, established in 1912.

Cork Boat Club also won the men's senior coxless fours and the men's senior coxless pairs, thereby winning all of the senior men's sweep rowing events.

The Cork Boat Club men’s senior eight champions of Ireland are Michael Cronin, Peter Grogan, Ciarán Brady, Andy Harrington, Fionnán Tolan, Barry O’Flynn, Thomas Earley, Jonny Cuddy, and cox Sarah Lonergan, who were coached by Malachy McGlynn.

This strong crew have now added the national title to the prestigious Leander trophy, which they won at Cork City Regatta in June, for the first time in 33 years.