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04 Apr 2026

Kildare canoeists take home gold and silver medals in the ICF Canoe Marathon World Cup at the weekend

Silver Medal Barry Watkins

Reporter:

Kim O'Leary

28 May 2018 3:45 PM

By Kim O'Leary Two very talented Kildare canoeists have claimed gold and silver medals respectively for representing Ireland in the ICF Canoe Marathon World Cup which took place at the weekend in Viana Do Costelo in Portugal.
Barry Watkins from the Salmon Leap Canoe Club Leixlip Co. Kildare won a Silver Medal for Ireland on Saturday, 26 May in the ICF Canoe Marathon World Cup, having beaten World Champions in a tough race.
Barry, has built up an extensive and impressive portfolio of sporting achievements in recent years and he is an acclaimed sprint kayaker, with notable accolades including Junior European Champion in 2007, Irish National Champion in 2010/2009, Irish Record holder 500m and 1000m 2013, and British national champion k2 1000m 2015, and 10th marathon worlds k1 2017.
[caption id="attachment_227914" align="alignnone" width="169"] Leixlip man Barry Watkins scooped a silver medal at the weekend[/caption]
On Saturday, Barry took the silver in the senior race in Portugal over the short course and took 10th on Sunday due to rough conditions.
 Meanwhile, Kilcullen native Ronan Foley took home gold medals on Saturday and Sunday at the Canoe Marathon World Cup in Viana Do Costelo in Portugal, having dominated the short race on Saturday and also winning the marathon test on Sunday.
Canoe Marathon World Cup, Viana Do Castelo, Portugal (Irish interest; selected results):
Saturday Men – K1 Short Race: 2 B Watkins 13:46.15. K1 Short Race, Juniors: 1 R Foley 14 min 52.43 sec. Sunday Men – K1 Marathon: 10 Watkins 2 hr 21 min 10.20. K1 Marathon, Junior Final: 1 Foley 1 hr 53 min 7.34 sec
[caption id="attachment_227981" align="alignnone" width="340"] Kilcullen native Ronan Foley gave a terrific performance picking up 2 gold medals[/caption]
Check out the winners receiving their medals below:
[video width="480" height="480" mp4="upload/2018/05/28103509/Barry-Watkins-Leixlip-canoeist-May-2018.mp4"][/video]

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