Watch: No need for Stewards' Enquiry but Lions Club charity Duck Derby was absolutely quackers!

There was no need for Stewards’ Enquiry at Kilkenny’s much-anticipated Duck Derby on Sunday, when five ducks appeared to have jumped the starting pistol.

Quackers, James Pond (from Drakelands), Duck it All, Duckster, and Put it on my Bill tumbled from the Lady Desart Bridge into the water marginally ahead of their dozens of rivals, but thankfully kayakers from Kilkenny Aqua Canoe Club were on hand to marshall all race participants, even things out, and make sure no one had an unfair advantage.

Kilkenny Lions Club’s  charity Duck Derby race was a huge success, and raised close on €4,000. The race was due to be held during the Savour Kilkenny Food Festival last October but had to be cancelled because of the high water levels in the river.

Mayor Joe Malone, Ann-Marie Butler Principal School of the Holy Spirit,, Cathaoirleach Michael Doyle, Lions President Marie Kennedy, Maeve O'Flynn, Lions event organiser

The race started with the ducks being thrown from baskets over Lady Desert Bridge into the River Nore  by Cathaoirleach Michael Doyle, Mayor Joe Malone, Lions President Marie Kennedy and Principal of the School of the Holy Spirit, Ann-Marie Butler

The club is donating all the proceeds to the School of the Holy Spirit, Kilkenny. The school provides an educational service to children in the Kilkenny and surrounding areas catering for students who are diagnosed with ASD, emotional and behavioural difficulties and other special needs.

Boys and girls from age 4 to 18 get an opportunity to develop their unique skills, talents and personalities. The proceeds will be used to develop an Equine Therapeutic programme.

The event was expertly organised by Lions Club members Maeve O’Flynn and George Candler together with their team. George also provided some great colour commentary of the race.

Over 700 plastic ducks were sold at €5 each. Each Lions member played their part in selling ducks and the club also received voluntary donations.

The race was very competitive. The first three ducks past the post won prizes for their backers. All the ducks were collected from the river by the Kilkenny Aqua Canoe Club under the supervision of Roger McClure.

The presentation of the proceeds of the race will be made by Kilkenny Lions Club President Marie Kennedy to the School of the Holy Spirit within the next few weeks.