Puspure shines at National Indoors

ROWING:THE REVIVED National Indoor Championships at Dublin City University, which also served as the first qualification event for the international programme, drew hundreds of competitors and featured another exceptional performance from Sanita Puspure – and confirmation of the strength of the Ireland under-23 lightweight programme.

Bann, Portora and Skibbereen were unable to travel, and those athletes who entered but could not compete will be allowed into the international programme if they reach the required standard at the next ergometer test in February.

Right at the the top of the women’s rankings was Puspure – but her hopes of London 2012 in the Irish colours remain tentative. The 29-year-old Latvian set a time of six minutes 49.4 seconds, over 10 seconds inside the qualification mark and almost eight seconds ahead of Offaly’s Eimear Moran (26), who was staging her own revival after six years away from elite international rowing. Puspure intends to apply for Irish citizenship in April, but with no grant aid on the cards for months even if all goes well, it is possible she may have to prioritise family and job ahead of rowing.

Colin Williamson, who headed up a big Queen’s University entry, was the fastest senior man, with a time of six minutes 1.7 seconds, and only Seán Jacob and Eoin Mac Domhnaill joined him inside the qualification mark. Michael Maher was the fastest lightweight man, and under-23 athletes Justin Ryan, Niall Kenny and Seán Prenderville filled the next three spots.

The situation was similar for lightweight women, with under-23 athlete Claire Lambe winning a “race” with Siobhan McCrohan.