Kilcock hosts International Canoe Polo

18 August 2003: Kilcock was the colourful canalside setting for the 5th European Canoe Polo Championships from 13-17 August, the first major canoeing event in this country for many years. It really put the north Kildare town firmly on the map in this growing international sport.

The competition attracted 37 teams from 15 countries - Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland and Ireland. All enjoyed an international night in North Kildare Rugby Club on Monday before the competitions began on Tueday.

The town basked in glorious sunshine for almost the entire week, a slight smattering of rain only falling in the final minutes of the senior mens’ final late Sunday afternoon, in which the Netherlands beat Germany by 2-1.

(Netherlands are in the orange boats and the Germans in black. The Netherlands won the final 2-1)

Hundreds of people lined both sides of the canal banks to cheer on their favourites, providing a festive atmosphere. Two big marquees were in place for changing rooms and there were a number of smaller tents selling polo assessories.

Naas man Cathal Gorman (who is webmaster for the canoepolo.com website) has paddled with the Irish Squad for several years and was again in action in Kilcock. Other members of the senior mens team included Vinny Pierce, Gerard Conlon, Grian Franzoni, Mick Griffin, John Caffery and Shane Kinsella. The team came 9th in the event.

Kilcock Polo Club has five of its members on the Irish U-21 Mens team. These are Mark McCormack, Ciaran McCormack, Brian Devlin, Mark Brogan. Other team members include Jack O’Toole, Stephen Davenport, Andrew Doyle, Sean Delaney and Karl Dolan. They came in seventh place.

The Irish senior womens team included team captain Maire Diggin, a primary school teacher in Kilcock girls school; Mary Comey (Kilcock), Eidin Cleary, Patricia Leader, Michele Verdonck, Caoimhe Ni Chuinn, Mary Weir and Aisling Hickey. The team came secured 5th place.

As Japan will host the next World Games next year, a team of observers were present to gain some invaluable experience in running such a major event.

Marion Byrne from Kilcock was administrative secretary for the European Championships. She said on Sunday that the people of Kilcock ‘are only starting to realise the enormity of the event which so transformed the town’.

“It’s given us all a great buzz. All my family including my mother Nuala Mahon, were here. It’s been a real family occasion. It’s all a voluntary effort and there is hardly a family in the village that hasn’t been involved in some way, even the small children.”

The Kilcock Canoe Club was founded six years ago and now has about 75 members, said local woman Bernie Downes.

The sport was first introduced to Kilcock by Aideen Cleary, who is on the Irish team, with Patricia McCormack. A number of members represented Ireland at the World Canoe Polo Championships in Essen, Germany, last summer. The U21s came in a very credible 5th in the world event.

Major changes have taken place in the harbour area in Kilcock in recent times. A new board walk has been built by Waterways Ireland along the far bank from the town, and cobblelocking is now in place on both sides of the canal.

“We are very lucky to have such a natural amenity here that we can use for water sports on the Royal Canal,” said Marion.

Tom Colton was chairperson of the organising committee of the European Championships with Carmel Vekins, Patricia McCormack, Maire Diggin and (secretary) Adrian Barber.

Next Sunday 24 August sees the Wild Water Kayak Club ranking race on the River Liffey, from Leixlip to Palmerstown and the famous Liffey Descent along 17.6 miles of rapids and weirs has attracted over 1,000 competitiors from all over the world. It takes place on 12 September.

The Annual Irish International Canoe Polo Open takes place in Kilcock from 12/13 September 2003.

Alistair Lang (official), Padraig and James Mahon (Maynooth); Gillian Campbell (Kilcock), Peter Maxwell (official), Marion Byrne (administration secretary, from Kilcock), Lisa Fogarty, Mary Campbell (Kilcock).

Assistant chief referee Déaglán O Drisceoil from Celbridge refereed the U/21 Mens final - the Netherlands and Germany. Déaglán is also attached to the Kilcock Club.

Joachim Schwarzrocu from Germany (a member of the three person jury) and Anne Reimers, captain of the victorious senior ladies German squad.