This event was cancelled after the preview was completed
This Valentine’s weekend, the Irish rowers will travel to Cork for the long-anticipated water
trials. Following several cancellations due to adverse weather conditions, there is hope that
the trials will proceed as planned.
Enniskillen Royal Boat Club
For the first time in many years, the “E” of Enniskillen will be seen at the Irish trials looking to
transfer their skills internationally. With a substantial entry from the club, supported by a
commendable performance at the indoor rowing championships, Enniskillen, recognised as
one of the premier sweeping clubs in Ireland, is certainly a team to observe closely. The Enniskillen A crew features Luke Bailey in the stroke position, who achieved an impressive 10th place overall at the indoor championships and is currently ranked as the second fastest sweeper in Ireland, with a 2k time of 6:32.2. In the bow seat is Austin Cassidy, who finished 31st overall at indoors with a time of 6:42.5. Both athletes were part of the crew that secured the junior 18 coxed four title at the Irish Championships last July. Following them in the Enniskillen B crew are the pair of Evan Donaghy and Ryan Topping. Ryan Topping placed 24th at the indoor event with a time of 6:38.3, while Evan Donaghy recorded a time of 6:45.5. This Enniskillen B crew presents a tough challenge to their A crew having been the stern pair in their clubs junior 18 eight which came third last season in Cork.
After a significant break from the trials, it will be exciting to see the performance that this esteemed sweeping club can deliver.
Neptune Rowing Club
This rowing club, located in Dublin, has undoubtedly established a significant presence,
particularly with Tommy Little in their A crew, who recorded the fastest time of 6.22.5 among the sweepers entered for the trials. Having participated in last year’s Home International Regatta, Tommy is certainly a competitor to keep an eye on, especially alongside his pair partner Jamie Waters, who we haven’t seen much of this season but will no doubt be a pair to watch.
Neptunes B crew with Hugh Curran and Emmett Villing. Emmett Villing a J16 rower pulled a
time of 6.50.1 at indoors setting this crew in a good place for the weekends racing ahead. With all of these four boys having come fourth in the junior 18 eight category last July they will be eager to push ahead this season, with the trials establishing where they stand amongst their competitors.
Castleconnell Boat Club
Artur Siuda Martin and Donncha Donnelly are members of the Castleconnell A crew. This duo is expected to perform well, having previously served as the stern pair in last year’s junior 18 eight where they secured a commendable fifth place. The athletes demonstrated their formidable strength with impressive 2k times of 6:34.6 and 6:43.9, coupled with their capacity to establish a consistent rhythm in an eight. This combination will make them a powerful presence throughout the course of the trials.
Colaiste Lognaid Boat Club
Paul Schofield achieved a commendable 16th place in the indoor competition, recording a
time of 6:34.6. He is a formidable bow side rower, having secured second place in one of the
most prestigious events at the Irish Rowing Championships, the junior 18 eight. His teammate, Oisin O’Conaire finished with a time of 7:07.2 and sat in the six seat during this notable second-place finish, positioning them as a strong contender against other crews at these trials.
Prediction
In conclusion, this will be an exciting weekend of trials with the best sweepers in Ireland
taking on the challenging conditions at the National Rowing Centre in cork across the weekend of trailing. These rowers will be tested to their limits with only the strongest coming out on top. I think that Enniskillen will be likely to take the win here with the size and strength of the contingent going to trials this year.
About The Author
Discover more from JRN
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
