NUIG target Cup double

ROWING:Today's University Championships of Ireland at Castlewellan and tomorrow's Queen's University Regatta at the same venue make for a satisfyingly full programme on the domestic front this weekend.

Last year, an emphatic win by their senior eight was enough to see NUIG carry off the Wylie Cup for senior men, and the Galway college expects to have strong crews in action again today.

Trinity took the intermediate eights prize last year and went on to become national champions in this grade. They will have a strong senior eight today, stroked by Joe Calnan, and how they match up against NUIG will give an indication of how strong the clubs will be as the season progresses. Queen's University and UCD are also entered in the senior eights.

The women's overall prize is decided on performances in fours, with UCD the holders. Their senior four includes Sarah Gannon, Sarah Cuddy and Clara Thornton of the all-conquering UCD senior eight, along with Naomi Fearon, who is an intermediate.

The Bank of Ireland Cup, which UCD holds, may be staying put.

Queen's University's regatta has an impressive entry. In the absence of NUIG, who do not stay over for the event, Belfast Rowing Club take on Trinity, Queen's and UCD in the senior eights final.

The intermediate eights should be a cracking event - Commercial, Belfast Rowing Club, Neptune and Loughborough Students from Britain are all entered, alongside UCD, Trinity, Methodist College, RBAI and University of Limerick.

This is the first big shootout of the year in this competitive grade.

The intermediate four sees Garda and Commercial renew the rivalry of last weekend at Neptune regatta, which Garda won. Two Belfast Rowing Club crews, Athlone, UCD and Neptune add to the mix.

Even UCD's women's senior eight may get a rare race in their home country, with Belfast Boat Club putting out a crew to take them on.

The women's senior single scull boasts one of the best line-ups of the day, including hopefuls for the Ireland team, Caroline Ryan, Orlagh Duddy, and Heather Boyle.