Donegal Crowned Intercounties Champions

The Irish Surfing Community gathered in Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal at the weekend for the 41th Intercounties Surfing Championships. Surfers of all ages from all around Ireland formed teams to participate. In small surf at Rossnowlagh, the first round seeded the top eight teams for qualification into the quarter finals. Donegal Ladies and Donegal Wee Ones put in strong performances to make the quarter finals but it was Mayo, Waterford and Donegal A and Donegal Surf World that progressed to the semis. Mayo took on Donegal A in the first semi, while Waterford challenged Donegal Surf World in the second semi.

Mayo was captained by Kevin Smith and included Rory Tuohy, Robin Keating and Charles O’Malley. The Donegal Surf World Team included four Bundoran surfers and was captained Emmet O’Doherty surfing with Aaron Reid, Owen Murphy and Conor Maguire. Although Mayo had never won the Intercounties championships they had contested several finals in recent years and with a strong team looked set to challenge Donegal. However the waves really deteriorated during the final leaving surfers struggling to find scoring rides. Aaron Reid and Owen Murphy managed to make the most of the poor surf taking a couple of high scoring rides each to seal victory for Donegal and disappointment for Mayo.

At the presentation in the Surfers Bar, Neil Britton awarded the Vinny Britton Cup to the Donegal Captain, Emmet O’Doherty while a special presentation was made to the top junior team, “Donegal Wee Ones”- Jack Scott, Garbhan Mc Closkey, Daniel Britton and Louis Devaney. No doubt these boys will be collecting the Intercounties cup at some stage in the future. Therese Hume was awarded Rossnowlagh Surf Club Person of the Year for her work and commitment to the surf club over the year.

The Championships were hosted by Rossnowlagh Surf Club and the Irish Surfing Association and sponsored by the Sandhouse Hotel, Smugglers Creek, Ard Na Mara & Gaslight Café, Mello Cafe and Fin McCool Surf School. Thanks to Barry Britton for the event poster and Gavin McCrea for his creative prizes.

Posted on 20/10/2009 by Zoe Lally