ROWING:SAFETY IS the paramount concern for rowers. Last year's Kerry Head of the River in Killorglin sparked a number of complaints, but the organisers of this year's event are intent on redemption.

With 104 crews entered, tomorrow’s head will be less than half the size of last year’s but, according to new club secretary Mary O’Sullivan, there will be greater attention to safety. There will be four launches on the course – which is tidal – and access to two more if necessary; an ambulance crew will be on hand; maps and programmes will be provided; and the course will be clearly marked.

The event has a free run at this weekend, as the Head of the Shannon, scheduled for tomorrow in Carrick-on-Shannon, has been cancelled due to high water.

In this light, the decision by performance director Martin McElroy to site his first assessment in Newry in two weeks is beginning to look like a smart move. “It’s the most protected piece of water we have,” he explains.

Candidates will do a 2,000m ergometer (rowing machine) test on the Saturday and a 5,000m time trial on Sunday. Except in exceptional and vouched cases, all who want to go on to the national trials on April 10th-13th in Cork must start in Newry. Olympians Seán Casey and Seán O’Neill are set to be absent as they have been training in the Antipodes. O’Neill may compete in the national championships in New Zealand and Casey in the Australian version.

UCD’s senior eight have been invited to train with and pace Isis (Oxford’s second crew) on the Thames in the run-up to the Boat Race in England. The session is set for the last weekend of this month and will also include the University of Washington varsity eight.

The Irish crew intend to compete on the Thames in the Eights Head of the River on March 21st.