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Bearaman Steers his Greek Rowing Team to Olympic Bronze
Sean Holland, son of Sheila and the late Danny Holland, Castletownbere, watched his Greek rowing tream, who he has coached for the past 12 months, pass the finish line in third place for Olympic Bronnze glory. I spoke with Sean following the race and he was estactic with the third place finish as were the rowers - who also thanked him. Before he took over coaching the team, they finished 11th in the World Championship in 2003. Now they are third. A wonderful achievement in just one year and the Greeks first ever Olympic Medal in Rowing. On the Athens Olympic website - the rowers are quoted as follows: On winning the bronze medal: Vasileios POLYMEROS (GRE) - bronze medallist Nikolaos SKIATHITIS (GRE) - bronze medallist Link to the above page is at: http://www.athens2004.com/en/LatestNews/newslist?item=2e3ecbf40738ef00VgnVCM4000002b130c0a____ Heartiest Congratulations to you Sean - Well Done
- wishing I was there today! Sean is due back in Dublin next month and he is looking forward to the supporting Cork in the Hurling All Ireland Final against Kilkenny at Croke Park.
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Sadly, the Irish Lightweight Four didn't manage to come in the placings
for any Olympic Medal today. They were placed 6th - a wonderful
achievement in itself - having given it their all.
Well done on your achievement lads - don't be too disheartened - you did us proud. |
| Athens Olympics & the Beara Connection - 21/8/04 | |
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From the Athen's Olympics in Greece - Sean Holland (or John as he is known as since he left Beara to work in Dublin) could be coming back home with an Olympic Medal Victory. Fingers and toes are being crossed and prayers are being recited as I write for the Greek Lightweight Double Sculls to pass the winning post tomorrow morning to secure a medal for themselves and glory for their Irish Cork born Coach John Holland. Sadly the Irish crew of Gearoid Towey and Sam Lynch failed to reach the final, but hopefully Irish man John Holland will fulfill his dream in his now chosen career and bring back an Olympic medal. |
| Sean, pictured above with his Mum, Sheila and his sister Mary, (yours
truly - who live in
Castletownbere), worked with Eircom until he took early
retirement five years ago to pursue his lifetime hobby - rowing.
Since he departed his home almost 40 years ago - he has been involved
with the sport. Last year, he was head-hunted by the Greek Rowing
management to coach 2 of their teams. As he wasn't involved with
any of the Irish teams at the time - he took up the challenge and has
been commuting back and forth ever since. Both his teams raced
magnificently in their heats and qualified for the semi-finals.
Sadly, the women's crew failed to make the final - but he was very
pleased with their performance. The men cruised home in their
heat, qualifying for the semi-final and came second in their heat -
qualifying for the final - which will be held on Sunday Morning at 6.50a.m. Irish time. Sean is no stranger to the Olympic or Rowing Scene - having coached Irish Teams in the Olympics at Moscow in 1980, Atlanta in 1996 and this year - the Greek Mens & Ladies Lightweight Double Sculls in Athens. He has also coached teams in various World Championships. In Atlanta, the Irish Lightweight Coxless Four just missed out on a Medal - being pipped into 4th place. His son Derek rowed as part of that team also and is still actively involved in the sport. Our prayers and good wishes are also with the Irish Lightweight Coxless fours - with West Cork man Eugene Coakley from Skibbereen being a member of that crew. Let's hope that there will be a lot to celebrate at 7.30am tomorrow morning. For those of you reading this before the final - keep the fingers crossed and say a little prayer for them all.
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