ROWING HENLEY REGATTAIRELAND WILL have a big interest at Henley Royal Regatta today, with five crews taking part. Three of our five representatives made it through yesterday, and they will be joined today by Seán Jacob, who competes in the Diamond Sculls, and the London Rowing Club entry of Diarmuid Mac Colgain and Herbie Griffin, both of whom have been in the Ireland international system at lightweight level.
The Irish challenge got off to a fine start when Belfast's men's eight beat City of Bristol's B crew in the Thames Cup. The Ulster crew had a difficult start, when a foot stretcher (where the oarsman pushes from) broke, but overcame it well and had two-and-a-quarter lengths to spare over their opponents at the end.
The crew has four changes from last year, but Garth Young, who teams up with Charlie Charlton and Garth Newberry to form the coaching team, says they are a stronger unit this time out.
Belfast reached the semi-final of this competition in 2006.
Both Ireland's crews in the Wyfold Cup for coxless fours progressed, although Cork Boat Club had to come from behind to beat Henley. The local crew led at the Barrier, a quarter of a mile in, but Cork passed them and won by a length. Cork will face Evesham, who had a three-length win over Tideway Scullers, today.
Commercial's crew in the Wyfold overcame a steering problem at the start to easily defeat Gorge RC from Canada. Colm Daly, Ben Clarke, Fionnan Groome and Michael Maher, are all in their early 20s, were in control and won by four lengths.
The two Irish crews that made exits were Garda Síochána in the Britannia for coxed fours and Trinity in the Temple for college eights. Kingston mastered Garda after a fast start. The Irish fought back but Kingston won by a length and three-quarters.
The pattern was similar for Trinity. Harvard, a seeded crew, made an excellent start and were never headed. They won by two lengths in a fast time of six minutes 45 seconds. American college crews have all but owned the Temple Cup this century.
Jacob will hope to make progress in his first race in the Diamond Sculls today, while Galway man Griffin and Kildare's Mac Colgain compete for London Rowing Club in the Double Sculls.
Details in SPORTS ROUND-UP
