Tribesmen Rowing Club from Galway made a remarkable appearance at the renowned Head of the Schuylkill Regatta in Philadelphia on Saturday, 26 October 2024.

Competing in the fiercely contested Men’s Masters category, the crew – comprising Peter Brady (Claregalway), Gerry Griffin (Athenry), Evin Donnelly (Knocknacarra), Johnny Naughton (Moycullen), and cox Nina Sponheimer, a Philadelphia native – showed outstanding strength and endurance, securing a well-deserved second place finish in the Men’s Masters coxed fours posting a time of 13:52.661.

Special thanks are extended to Fergal Barry, a Galway native and assistant rowing coach at the University of Pennsylvania, for providing the boat and oars, which contributed significantly to the crew’s performance.

Representing Tribesmen Rowing Club, these men, fast approaching 50, epitomise the spirit and grit of masters rowing. Their success in Philadelphia reflects not only the hard work they invest but also the pride they hold in representing Irish rowing on a global scale. Rowing is one of the most physically demanding sports, and this crew’s achievement is a testament to their dedication and skill, embodying the relentless determination that Tribesmen Rowing Club champions across all levels.

Club President Colin Hanley expressed his pride and gratitude for the club’s many accomplishments this season, saying:

“It has been a special year for Tribesmen Rowing Club. In just the last two months, our Captain, Siobhán McCrohan, took home a bronze medal from the World Championships in Canada, we’ve had crews compete and stand on the podium in Seville, Turin, and Düsseldorf, and we’ve seen impressive results for our men’s and women’s masters in St. Michael’s Head of the River and Castleconnell Head of the River at home. Our learn-to-row crews have entered their first competitions, and our para rowers competed in their first Head of the River event. This Masters 4 finishing second in America’s favourite regatta truly is the icing on the cake. We’re a small club full to the brim with great people, and we’re making noise all around the world. Long may it continue.”

As the club wraps up a stellar season of achievements, it now turns its attention to the upcoming Tribesmen Head of the River, scheduled for 14 March 2025. Tribesmen Rowing Club looks forward to welcoming rowing friends, both old and new, to this prestigious event on home waters.

Pictured: Peter Brady, Evin Donnelly, Nina Sponheimer, Gerry Griffin, Johnny Naughton