ROWING:This mid-winter weekend is set to feature more top Irish rowers in competitive action here than at almost any other time of the year.
The first National Time Trial at the National Rowing Centre in Cork has an entry of 65, with strong interest in the return to competitive action of Gearóid Towey and the appearance of the three new, English-based, members of the heavyweight group, Serryth Colbert, Bruce Magee and Jonno Devlin.
Towey, who is based in Spain, will be in no doubt about his location - the weather forecast is not promising. The Muckross Head of the River is scheduled for the same venue tomorrow afternoon, and some juggling of this event, the time trial and the ergometer tests may have be done.
The trial will have a part to play in determining which lightweights fly to Spain next week for a climate camp. Paul Griffin, who is injured, said yesterday he would not be taking part this weekend, and his participation in Spain is also in doubt. However, Diarmaid MacColgain will travel to Cork from London to take part.
Young athletes get their chance to compete on the water at the Ulster/Leinster regional time trial on the Newry canal tomorrow.
