Without any ado, let’s dive right in to the runners and riders for the open championship double category…
Shandon BC/Univ Coll Cork RC
This crew is likely to contain Adam Murphy, who is an U23 bronze medalist in the coxless four and raced in the senior men’s four last summer, finishing 15th overall at the world championships. Whoever he is partnered with, this crew are pretty likely to be speedy and may even be eyeing up an assault on the Double Sculls Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta (or perhaps a tilt at the U23 world championships in the summer, for which I believe Murphy is still eligible). If he races with Kealan Mannix, who himself as enjoyed success on the world coastal stage, then I mark this crew out as favourites to take the top prize.
University of Limerick
Joe Tanner featured in the ULRC crew that won the men’s senior double at the 2023 Irish Rowing Championships (alongside a solo win in both the intermediate and lightweight single sculls), so if this crew has retained any of that speed, I would expect them to be very quick here. Given the lack of serious racing in Ireland this year – with both the university championships and Commercial Regatta cancelled – this is a great opportunity for the Limerick duo to stretch their legs.
Galway University A
Martin O’Grady was a silver medalist behind Tanner in the men’s intermediate single last summer at the Irish Rowing Championships, so will be pretty familiar with this weekend’s starting grid. There doesn’t seem to be much of a track record of this boat competing – unless my research has failed me once again – but it’s fair to say that this all-Irish contingent from Galway will be vying for top spot alongside both Limerick and the Shandon/Cork duo.
Hinksey Sculling School A
This crew likely contains two of the athletes who finished third in open championship quads at the National Schools’ Regatta last weekend. Hinksey are certainly the new kids on the junior rowing block, determined to upset the established order in any which way they can. Although they might not have the outright speed to win the event, the fact that they’re doubling-up alongside the quad shows they’re seeking additional speed in any form possible.
London Rowing Club
Jack Keech raced in London’s Prince of Wales ‘B’ quad in 2023, who didn’t manage to make it out of the qualifying group in what was admittedly a punchy entry. If he’s found some more speed alongside a doubles partner in 2024, then this crew might be an outside bet.
Prediction
Hard to look past the Irish crews leading the charge. I think the Shandon/Cork composite will take the overall win here.
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