Jacob and Ryan have high hopes

ROWINGIRELAND HAS a relatively small entry of eight crews, but high hopes of some glory at the Henley Royal Regatta, which starts today. Seán Jacob and Caroline Ryan, who were unhappy at being cut from the Irish international system earlier this year, have every chance of being in the shake up for the Diamond Sculls and the Princess Royal Cup respectively.

Ryan, a 28-year-old Garda based in Pearse Street, comes into the event with winning form over this course, if over a shorter distance. She beat South African Hayley Arthur in the elite single scull at Henley Women's Regatta 10 days ago.

In this Olympic year, the top layer of single scullers is absent, giving the lesser lights a chance to shine. Arthur and Ryan are seeded here, as is lightweight international Jo Hammond, a former British oarswoman who now rows for Belgium, and Annelies Labots, a Dutch lightweight.

Ryan is a determined competitor and may well emerge victorious come Sunday. She sees action first on Friday, when she will meet Fran Jacob, who will be making her own bit of history. The Glasgow-based pharmacist is the younger sister of Seán Jacob.

The Old Collegians man takes on Mike Sivigny of the United States in the first round of the Diamond Sculls tomorrow, knowing that victories in this and two more rounds will see him in the final.

As in the women's event, the Olympic Games have cast a long shadow here. Jacob, who fought and lost a High Court battle with the Irish Amateur Rowing Union, has complained of lacking motivation since his axing from the Ireland squad, but if he hits form he has a good chance in what should not be daunting company.

Should Ryan emerge victorious she will be cementing a family and club link to this venue. Her father, Willie Ryan, won Henley titles with Garda in 1975 (the Thames Cup) and 1977 (the Prince Philip for coxed fours).

Indeed, Garda could perform this family and club feat on the double: longtime Garda coach Brendan Duane was involved in coaching the club to success in the 1970s, and two of his sons, Kieran and Gearóid, are in the Garda crew which takes on Kingston in the Britannia today (11.20).

Belfast Rowing Club can get the Irish challenge off to a good start when their eight take on City of Bristol's B crew in the Thames Cup at 10.30, while Cork go into action against Henley in the Wyfold for coxless four 15 minutes later.

Commercial's young Wyfold crew take on Gorge Rowing Club from Canada at 2.45, with evey intention of progresssing.

Trinity's senior eight did not compete at Marlow, and their season so far has been affected by the spoilsport weather and an internal dispute. And who must they face today? Harvard, the Temple Cup specialists. This looks like the draw from hell.

IRISH INTEREST

TODAY:Thames Challenge Cup (Eights, Club) City of Bristol B v Belfast Rowing Club (10.30); Wyfold Challenge Cup (Fours, coxless, Club): Cork Boat Club v Henley Rowing Club (10.45); Commercial (Dublin) v Gorge Rowing Club (Canada) (2.45); Britannia Challenge Cup (Fours, coxed, Club): Kingston Rowing Club v Garda Siochana (11.20); Temple Challenge Cup (Eights, Student): Harvard University v Trinity, Dublin (5.45).

Tomorrow:Double Sculls Challenge Cup (Open): KT Kolimechov and EA Boileau (Putney Town Rowing Club) v H Griffin and D Mac Colgain (London Rowing Club); Diamond Challenge Sculls (Men's Single Sculls, Open): S Jacob (Old Collegians) v M Sivigny (GMS Rowing Centre, USA) (Also: Second Round of Thames, Temple, Wyfold).

Friday:Princess Royal Challenge Cup (Women's Single Sculls, Open): C Ryan (Garda Siochana) v F Jacob (Glasgow Rowing Club) (Quarter-Finals; also Quarter-Finals of Double Sculls; Diamond Sculls; Thames; Temple; Wyfold; Britannia).