By Michelle Crean

For over 50 years one local man has been involved in rowing - and he was rewarded at the weekend for his contribution and dedication.

Flesk Valley Under 18 girls who won bronze medals at the All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships held in Wexford at the weekend. From l-r were: Donal Kelly Saoirse Sweeney Danielle O'Shea Eilis Mullane Caoimhe Kelly Paul Burke (Cox) and Colm Kelly (mascot).

Flesk Valley Under 14 boys who won gold and silver at the All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships held in Wexford at the weekend. Pictured were: Cormac Flanagan Patrick Mullane Shay McCormack Kai McManus Shane Tomlinson Hubert Sobilo Aodhagán O'Sullivan and Daniel Fennelly.

Flesk Valley Under 16 boys who won silver at the All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships held in Wexford at the weekend. Front: Dimitris Charalampakis and Gearoid Sugrue. Back: Jamie Daly Adam Counihan and Mark McCarthy.

Flesk Valley Under 12 girls who won gold at the All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships held in Wexford at the weekend. Pictured were: Órlaith O'Sullivan Siun Morrissey Roisin Rea Jennifer Rea and Blathnaid O'Connell.

Flesk Valley Under 12 boys who won gold at the All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships held in Wexford at the weekend. From l-r were: Aodhagán O'Sullivan Shane Tomlinson Colm and Colm Óg Ó Súillebháin Daniel Fennelly and Hubert Sobilo.

GOLD: Flesk Valley Pre-Veteran men who won gold at the All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships held in Wexford at the weekend. From l-r were: Donal Kelly Colm O Suillebhain Tadhg Kelly (Cox) Ger Sweeney and Peter O'Sullivan.

Richard Leane from Killarney's Flesk Valley Rowing Club, received the accolade from the Irish Coastal Rowing Federation at the weekend’s All-Ireland Coastal Rowing Championships held in Ferrybank, Co. Wexford.

As an oarsman, cox, administrator, sponsor and supporter, Richie has made an immense contribution to his own club Flesk Valley but also to rowing in Killarney and Kerry, through his involvement with the Killarney Regatta and the Kerry Coastal Rowing Association.

Never one to seek the limelight, Richie is a consistent and unheralded presence behind so many rowing events in Kerry, and you never have to look too far to see the familiar stamp of Leane’s Tool Hire at so many rowing events, Donal Kelly, from Flesk Valley Rowing Club, explained.

"Nothing is ever a problem to Richie, and his easy going and obliging nature means that he can never say no when it comes to anything related to rowing!

"Richie is much-loved and highly regarded in rowing circles, but particularly in Flesk Valley where he has made an incredible contribution to the club in practically every role, and it’s fair to say that the health of the club today is in no small way due to his consistent presence and support over many years. Apart from the many practical things that Richie does for the club, his warmth and good humour are legendary, and there’s always lots of laughter in Richie’s company when the last race has ended.

Many congratulations Richie on this well-deserved honour from all at Flesk Valley Rowing Club!"