It is with the greatest regret and sadness that Carrick on Shannon RC announce the death of Mr. Sam Holt (1952 - 2003)RIP. Sammy was a lifelong member of the club and he epitomized everything that Carrick on Shannon Rowing Club stood for, a man who knew when to take the sport seriously but also realised at the end of the day it was only a sport and enjoyed the social aspect of rowing to the full, both on and off the water. Anyone who knew Frances Cryan throughout her international career would invariably have met Sammy lurking somewhere in the background - he was a man who was not afraid to roll up his sleeves and do some of the less glorious jobs associated with the sport, whether it be trekking across the country with a boat trailer or going out and fund raising for the club he loved so much.

He made numerous attempts during the 1980's to get Schoolboy and Schoolgirl crews going in the town but would always come up against the towns old enemy of emigration and indifference. Although in failing health for the past couple of years, his first thoughts were always for "the club" and he could be seen from time to time on the quays in Carrick looking out over crews as they departed from the slipways. Only three weeks ago he was delighted with the news that ago he was re-elected to the clubs committee for the coming year. He was laid to rest today not more than twenty steps away from the River Shannon that he spent his life alongside. May he rest in peace.