Taking place on the picturesque Lough Erne in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh; the six kilometre course will see hundreds of athletes take on the stretch of water. The morning race will see the senior women’s coxless fours take the course, and with only three crews entered, it could be a close battle between them all.
University College Dublin Boat Club
Due to the cancellation of Dublin Head of the River in October, Erne 4s head marks the first race of the season for this University College Dublin BC crew. First off in the category, they will be able to push off those behind them and will want to ensure they stay ahead. After a summer of racing at Henley Royal Regatta and at the Irish Championships, starting the 2024/2025 season strong will be important. Alison Daly sits at bow of this crew and will want to make sure that she finishes ahead of her twin sister Sarah Daly in the UCD/Old Collegian BC composite crew.
University of Galway Boat Club
Chasing University College Dublin is the University of Galway BC crew. Coming off wins in both the senior coxless four and the intermediate coxed four at the Irish Championships in July, the University of Galway crew won’t want to start the season with a loss. In the two seat of this crew is Madison Donnelly, who, whilst winning multiple Irish Championships this past summer, also brings plenty of racing experience as she was selected to represent Ireland at the Home International Regatta 2024. This experience within the crew will be crucial as they set off in the middle of the pack.
University College Dublin/ Old Collegians Boat Club
This crew will see both students past and present of University College Dublin take on the Erne to try and clench the senior women’s coxless four title this year. Made up of two UCDBC athletes and two OCBC athletes, who are recent alumni, it promises to bring a strong challenge to the other two crews competing in the category. Being able to produce both a full student and alumni composite crew highlights the depth of rowing at UCD and how athletes continue to aim high once they have graduated.
Prediction
Based on their success at the Irish Championships last summer, I think the University of Galway BC will claim the win on Lough Erne, but it won’t be easy. I expect there to be a tough battle between the other two crews; however, I think the composite crew from University College Dublin and Old Collegians Boat Club will take second place behind Galway.
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