Third level titles at stake Rowing

ROWING: Rowing, which can be difficult to learn but has an elite international element, sometimes struggles with the doughnut effect: the very best move up swiftly, which leaves the middle looking decidedly bare.

Clubs have coped in different ways. Neptune, who are growing their competitive base, have an innovative scheme which allows anyone interested to try out the sport, with a payment set off against their membership fee - if they stay at it.

Other clubs tend towards talent identification schemes which may find some of the stars of the future in previously non-rowing areas.

The biggest long-time trend, however, may be for third-level institutions to move centre stage. NUIG, with Tom Tuohy at the helm, are already one of the powers in the land; UCD look set to grow under new coach John Holland; and Trinity, under Tim Levy, have developed an open club under their old boys name of Lady Elizabeth.

University of Limerick, with outstanding facilities on their doorstep, have shown signs that they might be the next to move up a level, particularly in women's rowing.

The University Championships of Ireland, hosted by Queen's University today at Castlewellan, can be one of the most competitive events of the year. Crews face each other today with the Wylie Cup for men and the Bank of Ireland Cup for women at stake.

NUIG's strength at senior eights level is such that they may emerge as men's champions, particularly as UCD have not entered a senior men's eight. But the Wylie is decided over the senior, intermediate and novice categories, and Queen's, Trinity and UCC will have their hopes.

UCD's win in the Corcoran Cup should provide a base for an assault on the Bank of Ireland Cup, which is decided on fours wins. Wins at intermediate and novice level would be enough, but they also have a strong senior four.

At international level, the post of assistant coach was being filled yesterday, with no expectation of a surprise.

The final list of invitees for the second national selection regatta in two weeks is unexpectedly long. Not only have Olympians Niall O'Toole and Paul Griffin made it through on medical exemptions, but Andy Coleman and David Heffernan are also named.

Head coach Harald Jahrling pointed out that Heffernan, who is based abroad, impressed at the first trial in a boat he borrowed after his first did not make it.

The British trials in recent days also yielded some impressive Irish performances - from Coleraine's Alan Campbell and James Lindsay-Fynn from Co Meath.

Lindsay-Fynn, who was part of the Commercial eight which won the Irish senior national title last year, won a bronze medal for Ireland in the lightweight quadruple scull in the 1999 World Championships.