The membership at New Ross Boat Club is swelling with pride after Anna Brennan’s exceptional showing at the 2024 World Junior Rowing Championships in St. Catharines, Canada. Anna’s journey to this global stage is both a fantastic personal achievement and a testament to the passion, dedication, and support woven into the fabric of the club by head coach Janet Walsh.
Anna’s selection for the Irish squad was a moment of immense pride for New Ross Boat Club. Anna will represent Ireland in the Under-19 Women’s Double Sculls, where she will team up with Moya Knowles from Skibbereen Rowing Club in a partnership that promised power and precision.
The lead-up to the Junior World Championships saw Anna dedicate her summer to intensive training at the Rowing Ireland High Performance Camp in the National Rowing Centre, Cork. Her outstanding performances on home waters—including clinching the national championship, which delivered New Ross its first Irish title in 148 years—gives Anna a fantastic base to build on for this international campaign.
At the 2024 Junior World Rowing Championships, Anna and Moya faced a fiercely competitive field in the Junior Women’s Double Sculls (JW2x):
Heats:
The duo began their campaign with determination, navigating their heat comfortably to qualify them from the semi-final among the world’s best crews.
Semi-finals:
Pushing their limits, Anna and Moya narrowly missed out on qualifying for the A final—a heartbreaker, but one that only steeled their resolve for the last day’s racing.
B Final:
In what was their final race of the regatta, Anna and Moya delivered a remarkable performance. Trailing the Slovakian crew for much of the race, the Irish pair surged in the closing 250 meters. With a stunning sprint to the line, they overtook their rivals to seize first place in the B final. This win awarded them a 7th overall finish in the world—a phenomenal achievement that merits much recognition for Anna and Moya in the international rowing arena.
The 2024 Junior World Championships also shone a spotlight on New Ross Head Coach, Janet Walsh. Selected to travel with the Irish squad, Janet’s involvement at this level continues her legacy of nurturing rowing talent and fostering a winning ethos. Her presence as a coach in Canada enriched the team dynamic and provided invaluable guidance to Anna and her teammates throughout their international campaign.
Janet’s leadership extends beyond training schedules and regatta planning. As a role model and mentor, her commitment has spearheaded many successes for New Ross, inspiring a new generation to pursue rowing at the highest level.
With Anna’s immense performance on world-stage and Janet Walsh’s stock continuing to rise as a world-class coach, New Ross Boat Club stands at a proud moment in its 148 year history. The club membership, from coaches and volunteers to young novice rowers, can all celebrate this achievement as their own—proof that belief, hard work, and local support can propel our rowers and coaches onto the global stage. Anna Brennan’s journey, alongside the guidance of Janet Walsh, is sure to motivate athletes in New Ross for years to come.