Quadruple given their chance on world stage

The inclusion of young Commercial man Owen Byrne in a lightweight quadruple scull, and the fact that this crew will be coached by German Frank Rogall, will be the talking points provoked by the announcement yesterday of the Irish team for next month's World Championships.

Recent medallists at the World Cup regatta in Munich, scullers Sam Lynch and Sinead Jennings and the pair of Gearoid Towey and Tony O'Connor were automatic selections.

Byrne has been injured, but he comes in for the unavailable John Armstrong after assurances were given that he will be fit.

On Saturday in Inniscarra, on the second day of a National Championships in which Neptune won 11 titles, Darren Barber carved himself out a unique place in Irish rowing history by becoming the first holder of an Olympic gold medal - won in Barcelona with the Canadian eight - to win an Irish title when Neptune's eight had their expected easy win.

Neptune's dominance - late in the day in quick succession they added the junior eights and their first women's senior eights title - provoked some discontent, particularly as the club has so many "carded" athletes.

Yet the rules allow it, and Neptune's success at junior level provides proof of long-term planning.

Neptune's Albert Maher saw off the challenge of Sean Jacob in the senior single scull - they teamed up later to win the double scull - to win his fourth senior singles title. Maher, however, said he was disappointed with his form and was not in the reckoning for the World Championships. "I'm in a slump," he said frankly.

In a very different run of form is Commercial's Heather Boyle, who only took up sculling two years ago but has been outstanding this year and added the intermediate single title to Friday's senior crown.

Skibbereen's dominance at junior level - they won eight titles - was a highlight of the championships, as was a wonderful two-boat duel in the men's senior coxed four, which NUIG won by three feet from Commercial.