These are busy times for Irish rowing. Neptune regatta, the first of the season, has drawn a big entry, and there are interesting developments in the choice of the Ireland international team.
In a switch from the nominated crews, the Ireland women's pair to compete in Piediluco in Italy next weekend (April 10th to 12th) and at the European Championships in May will be made up of Monika Dukarska and Leonora Kennedy. Lisa Dilleen and Helen Hannigan have been selected to form a new partnership in the women's double.
Selection camp
At junior level, an Ireland selection camp will run from Monday through Thursday at the
National Rowing Centre
in Cork – though selection of teams will not be finalised until later in the month.
Before all that comes Neptune regatta, with a big programme which starts with over an hour of activity on Good Friday, and carries through to Saturday.
The men's senior single sculls should provide a highlight. Michael Maher of Commercial and Sam McKeown of Portadown clash in a quarter-final on Saturday morning, with Sam Toland of UCD or Colm Dowling of Commercial awaiting the winners. On the other side of the draw, Damien Kelly of Garda and Declan O'Connor of St Michael's clash, with Ian Hurley of Trinity or Andrew Griffin of UCD awaiting the winner.
Trinity divide their forces for a Trinity A v Trinity B final of the men’s senior eights. The women’s senior eights final promises a test for Trinity from Portora from Enniskillen.
The Commercial regatta on Sunday starts at 9.30am.
Bobby Platt MBE, who gave decades of service to Bann, Coleraine Academical Institution and Ulster and Irish rowing passed away this week. He was 94.
