Duo set for time trial

Rowing ColumnEarly birds at Blessington Lakes in Wicklow tomorrow could catch sight of two former world champions in action. Niall O'Toole is entered in the Leinster regional time trial, and Sam Lynch says he will also compete.

There are two trials, set for 8.30 and 9.30, with the big entry including a good number of juniors.

Both Lynch, who won gold in the lightweight single scull in 2001 and 2002, and O'Toole, who took the same title in 1991, competed at the Athens Olympics, but missed the business end of the 2005 international season.

O'Toole entered the trials at the beginning of the year, but failed to progress, while Lynch opted out of the international fray to build up his physique with the aim of competing as a heavyweight in the coming season. "I'm stable now at 83 kgs but stronger than I was," the Limerickman said yesterday. He returned from six weeks in Australia last month which he found valuable, and has been enjoying his sessions at Blessington with the international squad under coach Harald Jahrling.

Lynch might be seen as a valuable addition to the heavyweight four, but he is not second-guessing the coach. "I don't know what Harald has planned. It's up to him. I'm not going to speculate." He does add, however, his "personal bias" is to sculling events.

Munster and Ulster have their time trials scheduled for Sunday at the NRC and the Newry Canal - with the Northern event forced to charge €10 (£7) because of a requirement from the local council for insurance cover.

The international rowing committee of the IARU has asked for expressions of interest in voluntary posts in the support structure of the high performance programme. Two new convenors, for under-23 men and women, are being sought.

Tomorrow night's send-off party for Gearóid Towey and Ciarán Lewis, who will compete in the Atlantic Rowing Race next month, starts at 8pm at the Mansion House in Dublin. There may be a few tired competitors from the morning trials present.

On a sad note, UCD's well-liked retired boatman Jim Wallis died at the weekend. With the club for over a quarter of a century, he had borne a difficult illness with characteristic good humour.