BINGO and boating are not two activities that normally go together, but this month a fun family bingo night will help a crew of local women buy their own boat.
Fresh from rowing in competition with the best international teams on the Thames in London, the Clonlara Ladies Masters rowing crew are raising funds to buy a boat so they can get on the water to train on a more regular basis.
The crew came fifth in the London regatta despite the fact that they only get to train once a week.
So there’s no telling where they will go if they have their own boat and to this end, they are having a fund-raising bingo night in the old Clonlara community centre on Saturday, February 29 at 7.30pm.
As well as cash prizes, there will be vouchers, hampers and much more along with all the fun that caller, Niall Hogan can muster and all for a tenner.
The women were the only crew from the Republic of Ireland to enter the London regatta last year and took fifth place for their club, the Castleconnell Boat Club.
One of 15 novice crews in their class out of a total field of 250 crews, the women came together as a team just two years ago and were coached by Matt O’Brien.
“Only two of them had ever rowed before. They did fantastically well and most importantly, they really enjoyed it,” Matt told the Limerick Post.
The crew were delighted to get a chance to row against some highly competitive teams and to enjoy some time off in London.
“They had a fantastic time and they deserved it. They’re a great bunch and have fantastic energy for everything they do. This was their first outing but it will not be their last, now they have had a taste of competition,” Matt added.
