Rían Claffey: Young Sportsperson of the Year finalist
Rían Claffey has enjoyed a hugely successful year, the highlight of which was representing Ireland at U19 level in the World Rowing Championships in Canada.
A member of Athlone Boat Club, Rían was part of the Junior 19 men’s quad team which finished fourth at the World Rowing Championships which took place in August at St Catharines in Ontario, Canada.
Claffey was joined by crewmates Jack Rafferty (St Michael’s Rowing Club, Limerick), Sean Morris (Tralee Boat Club) and Michael McGrath (Cappoquin BC). They were very impressive on their way to reaching the ‘A’ final where they finished fourth with another superb display.
Rían’s selection for the World Championships came after he achieved considerable success in the 2024 Irish Rowing Championships held at the National Rowing Centre in Cork last July.
He won the junior 18 men’s single scull in an exciting final which he led from the start. Claffey crossed the line in a time of 7.20, two seconds ahead of Jack Rafferty.
In addition, competing alongside his colleagues Zach Meegan, Richard Heaslip and Adam Kenny, Claffey helped Athlone Boat Club to win the junior 18 men’s coxless quadruple scull. The Athlone crew had to fight off strong surges from Cappoquin and St Michael’s before winning the event.
The winner in the Junior 18 2km event at the 2024 National Indoor Rowing championships last January, Claffey is the current Irish record holder for the following indoor rowing categories: J16 500m, J16 1km and J16 6km.
Rían completed his Leaving Cert at the Marist College earlier this year and the 18-year-old is now studying marine science at the University of Galway where he will continue his rowing.
From Fardrum, Athlone, Rían is a son of Orlagh and Justin Claffey, and his older brother Donagh has also excelled in rowing. Rían has a younger brother, Evin, and a sister, Laoise, both of whom are active in sport.
The impact made by Rían at national and international level is just one success story in a memorable year for Athlone Boat Club. Claffey was one of five rowers from the club chosen to represent Ireland at international competitions, along with Zach Meegan, Adam Kenny, Richard Heaslip and Anna O’Grady.
Meanwhile, two of the club’s coaches, Fergus Hannon and Paul Donovan, were selected to coach crews at international events. Hannon was one of the coaches with Ireland’s junior men’s crews at the World Rowing Championships in Canada, while Donovan coached the junior women’s sculling team at the Home International Regatta in Scotland. In addition Athlone’s Paul Gallen continued his remarkable run of success by retaining his European Masters title.
The other Outstanding Achievement finalists are Francis Derwin and Hazel Donegan.
The Westmeath Independent Community & Sports Awards 2024 takes place at the Shamrock Lodge Hotel today (Thursday).
The Young Sportsperson of the Year category at the Westmeath Independent Community & Sports Awards 2024 is sponsored by The Shamrock Lodge.