Pictured here are James and Jason Wall from Clancy Strand in Limerick. The monstrous trophy in the middle is the Irish National Championship trophy for the Mens Rowing Senior 8+.
Brothers James, 24 and Jason, 21, were part of the NUIG crew which won the blue ribboned event at the recent Irish National Rowing Championships.
The victory was secured by the narrowest of margins over the Queens club. After 2000 metres of hard racing, the Limerickmen and their fellow crew members had only point four of a second to spare. The winning time being 5.39.5.
The win bridged a 21 year gap for the college crew. 1988 being the last time a Senior Mens 8+ title had returned to Galway. The win in July was no flash in the pan. These two Limerick lads are no strangers to winning silverware. Jason was a member of a crew that won silver in the Couple de Jeunesse in August 06, while at the same time, James was winning the World University games with NUIG in Lithuania. These titles added to James’ eight national titles and Jason’s four. The hard working pair have also featured on Ireland’s Olympic development squads. Even though both barely missed out on Beijing, James told the Limerick Post Newspaper this week that London 2012 is very much in the brother’s sights.
“Rowing is a major part of our lives now and of course we are aiming for the 2012 games. Jason and I are both still rowing with NUIG and even though studies and work now are part of the routine, the goal is still to win more titles with the club and kick on with the international teams”
Both brothers started out in the water with St Michaels Club here in Limerick having attended Ard Scoil Ris school. James is now in Smurfit Business College in Dublin studying for a masters in Project management, while Jason remains in NUIG doing Business Studies.
Both rowers have attended Henley regatta with their club and intend on repeating the National championship win again next year.
Rowing is the ultimate in fitness sport. Training and commuting are the hassle that these two Limerickmen face. It appears to suit them though. If you are going to try and win anything, why not have your brother in the same boat as you.
Expect to hear more from the Wall’s of Limerick. There are more glory days to come.
