Selection row

A controversy has blown up over the non-selection of the Commercial women's pair which won both the National Championships and a national trial on the Ireland team for the Home Internationals in England tomorrow.

Audrey Phelan and Becky Quinn were in fact nominated for next month's World Championships by the International Rowing Committee, but the executive of the Irish Amateur Rowing Union opted not to send them. Another crew was selected for the Home Internationals and the Commercial pair fell between two stools.

Rowing Union sources admit this was an "oversight", but Commercial women's coach Mick Desmond was fortright in his criticism yesterday: "The selection system is cockeyed," he said and also hit out at the delay in appointing a national coach.

Frank Rogell, a German former oarsman, is with the Irish under-23 team for the Nations Cup in Ottensheim in Austria this weekend and will also coach at the World Championships. Funding from the Sports Council is being sought for a permanent appointment.