Former showjumper Emma Desmond impresses in rowing trials

Emma Desmond was the big story of the Ireland trial at the National Rowing Centre.

The 28-year-old, whose background is in showjumping, took up rowing in October 2012 but has improved at such a rate that she took second behind Sinéad Jennings in the lightweight single sculls time trial. Denise Walsh and Siobhán McCrohan, both of whom have competed for Ireland, finished third and fourth in the trial, which was limited to one day, Saturday, because of weather concerns.

The main aim at this level is to produce a lightweight double – an Olympic boat – and Desmond and Jennings combined to some effect later, but the matrix of the top four had to be called off when McCrohan pulled out injured. Claire Lambe had also not competed due to injury.

The fastest men’s single sculler on the day was a lightweight, Justin Ryan. Brothers Max and Erik Rowan, who have recently moved to Ireland from Australia, finished second and sixth in the heavyweight men’s single sculls trial, which was won by David Neale.

Sanita Puspure could not compete in the trials because of an injured rib. The heavyweight pair of Lisa Dilleen and Leonora Kennedy were the fastest women’s crew on the day.