THE IRISH had a superb start to the Henley Royal Regatta with all the competing crews making it comfortably through the first rounds of their events.

Garda returned to Henley after 10 years away with an eight that is capable of winning a medal here.Upper Thames. Neptune beat York City RC by 3 1/4 lengths.

Commercial showed their class as they took the course apart in the Wyfold Challenge Cup. They beat Kingston, easily, producing one of the quickest times of the day for a coxed four.

Serryth Colbert announced his challenge to three-time world champion Peter Haining as he came back from half a length down, against Paul Cobbett, to win, easily, in the Diamond Sculls.

Colbert was only one second off Haining's pace in his first round victory yesterday.

University College, Dublin have set up a clash with the University of Nottingham in the second round of the Temple Challenge Cup. UCD fought off a strong challenge from Queens and Robinson Colleges, Cambridge.

Trinity College, Dublin, rounded off a fine day for the Irish as they eased through against Edinburgh University in the Britannia Challenge Cup.