Irish Banyoles entry minimal

ROWING:AS AN illustration of the gulf in size and resources between Ireland and its nearest neighbour, the statistics for the first World Cup next weekend in Banyoles in Spain could not be more stark: Britain will send 21 crews and 50 athletes; Ireland two crews and three athletes.

The capture of two good British coaches, Adrian Cassidy and Rob Baker, has bulked up the Irish system, but there is a long road to travel. In two classes in which Ireland will compete, the pair and the single scull, the match-ups could happen on the water.

Ireland’s newly-formed crew of Cormac Folan and Martin Walsh may face Britain’s “super pair” of Peter Reed and Andy Triggs Hodge. Both have Olympic gold medals from the four in Beijing.

In the single scull, one of Seán Casey’s rivals is Derryman Alan Campbell, one of the top oarsmen in the world, and a Beijing finalist.

Ireland will not be sending crews to the second World Cup in mid-June, but a lightweight crew or crews may be formed in time for the final World Cup in Lucerne in July. There will be on-the-water tests next month for the top lightweight men and women.

One of the positive trends in the last year or so is the renaissance of rowing in Northern Ireland. Chief among the success stories has been Portora Boat Club, which ran a successful regatta last weekend, drawing entries from Athlone, Neptune and Coláiste Iognáid.

Portora’s is a good news story which stretches beyond the world of sport. The genesis came from the awful events of 21 years ago in the local town of Enniskillen.

“After the bomb I thought I had better do something to keep us from each other’s throats,” explains Robert Northridge, the deputy headmaster of Portora Royal School. “I went to St Michael’s (a Catholic school in Eniskillen) and asked if there was anyone who wanted to row.”

The boat club has incorporated Enniskillen Rowing Club and stretches well beyond the Royal School, which is still its bedrock. At Neptune regatta in Dublin earlier this year 80 boys and girls from seven different schools turned out for the club – and won seven finals. At Queen’s regatta, Portora won both the men’s and women’s junior 18 eights.

The arrival of former Ireland international Derek Holland as rowing master has helped make the club a contender for honours at each event it attends.

Meanwhile, the 2008/2009 Cork Sculling Ladder was a great success. Donal O’Grady, of hurling fame, presented the prizes last night. Mark Callanan won the men’s open event and Orla McGrath the women’s.

This weekend’s action on the water also covers both ends of the country, with Bantry regatta and the Belfast Sprints both drawing a big junior entry.