ROWING:AN ELECTION and the possibility of some lively debate should add spark to tomorrow's agm of Rowing Ireland at Sport HQ in Dublin. The agm has moved from its traditional autumn siting so that the accounts presented will be more current, and the figures for 2010 will be available tomorrow.
The election will be for the post of secretary, which is being vacated by Gordon Reid of Lagan Scullers in Belfast. “I was just trying to do too many jobs and I can’t give them all the attention I think they need,” said Reid, who is an architect.
Vying for the post will be Frank Coghlan of Shandon Boat Club in Cork and Brenda Ewing of Belfast Rowing Club, who has been the chair of the domestic events committee.
Ewing has overseen the development of a two-year calendar, which has the potential to greatly lessen the heavy lifting at tomorrow’s meeting – if it is approved.
Michael R Hughes, the Connacht vice-president, exited the board earlier this year. Hughes was chairman of the organising committee of last year’s National Championships. Leinster delegate Con Cronin, the calm presence at the centre of the organisation of numerous Neptune regattas, has now moved centre stage in the organisation of the championships.
There are some “housekeeping” motions, but the one likely to generate serious debate is a proposal to limit the maximum number of clubs contributing to composite crews at the National Championships to two.
Composites in doubles or pairs would also be ruled out. Last year a women’s senior eight made up of rowers from seven clubs (the “Facebook eight”) won the National Championships.
The issue of allowing rowers to affiliate to a new provincial club so they could compete outside the country in an effort to identify and develop talent did not win the approval of the executive board of Rowing Ireland.
However, its proposer, James Mangan, said yesterday he intends to start debate on it at the agm.
Mangan, who has impressive credentials as a coach in the United States system, wants to develop talent in this way.
Ireland performance director Martin McElroy and lead coach Adrian Cassidy both said recently they have no objection to the plan, though it would not be under their aegis.
Meanwhile, Skibbereen head the table after the second round of Grand League events.
The Cork club is way ahead overall, with 320 points. Commercial (188), St Michael’s (187) and and UCD (187) are in a close group behind them, with Neptune on 183.
The next Grand League Regatta is Metropolitan in Blessington tomorrow week.
The Cork Sculling Ladder presentations are set for next Tuesday at St John’s Central College. The men’s winner was Andrew Hurley of Bantry and Karen Corcoran-O’Hare of Shandon was the fastest woman.
On the other side of the world, bad weather has assailed the first attempt by Keith Whelan to row the Indian Ocean from Western Australia to Mauritius, and yesterday the Irishman returned to land.
GRAND LEAGUE(points after two rounds – Skibbereen and Queen's Regattas) – Overall:1 Skibbereen 320 pts; 2 Commercial 188, 3= St Michael's and UCD 187, 5 Neptune 183, 6 Queen's 118, 7 Shandon 107, 8 Dublin University Ladies BC (Trinity) 106, 9 Portora 102, 10 Cork 92. Men's Division One:1 Skibbereen 142pts, 2 Queen's 83, 3 UCD 71. Division Two: 1 St Michael's 89, 2 Neptune 76, 3 Skibbereen 51. Women's Division One:1 Skibbereen 127pts, 2 St Michael's 71, 3 UCD 70. Division Two: 1 Commercial 85, 2 Dublin University LBC 47, 3 Queen's LBC 45.
