If you are looking for world class racing, look no further than the men’s sculls this coming Saturday, seven December. High winds and unstable water levels have seen the last two Irish trials being cancelled, forcing the selection team at Rowing Ireland to use Muckross Head of the River as the first water trial, not only of the season, but also of the new Olympiad. With over 30 entries across the men’s senior, intermediate and club sculls, they will be some of the most hotly contested races of the weekend.
Senior Single Sculls
University College Cork Rowing Club: Andrew Sheehan
Three-time world U23 medallist, Andrew Sheehan will be looking to kick off the first water trial of the new Olympiad in style with a win here at Muckross Head of the River. An extremely seasoned sculler, with a silver medal in this boat class from the 2023 U23 World Rowing Championships, Sheehan will undoubtedly excel this weekend, and I predict we will see at least a top three finish from him.
University College Cork Rowing Club: John Kearney
John Kearney of UCC will be picking up an extra blade as he swaps disciplines from sweep rowing to sculling for this 3km time trial. Kearney’s 2024 season saw him reach the Saturday of Henley Royal Regatta in The Silver Goblets and Nickalls’ Challenge Cup. Another competitor with multiple U23 World Rowing Championship medals in fours on his extensive rowing resumé, how will Kearney fair this weekend in a single scull – we will have to wait and see.
University College Cork Rowing Club: Adam Murphy
Rounding out the UCC trio is Adam Murphy, who came away from last year’s U23 World Rowing Championships with a bronze medal in the men’s double sculls. After a glistening 2024 season, Murphy will want to take gold in Muckross Head of the River, his first race of the season.
Cork Boat Club: Fionnan Tolan
After dominating the sweep side of things at last year’s Irish Rowing Championships, winning the men’s senior eight, four and pair, Fionnan Tolan will be hopping into a single this weekend to try and carry his dominance into the single scull. Having represented Ireland at the 2023 World Rowing Championships in the men’s four, Tolan’s experience should ensure he is amongst the pack this coming Saturday.
Predictions
In what will undoubtedly be the event to watch this weekend, it is hard to ignore Andrew Sheehan’s silver medal in this boat class at the U23 World Rowing Championships, so I do expect him to claim victory, however, Fionnan Tolan’s winning ways could see him clench the win.
Men’s Club Single Sculls
Killorglin Rowing Club: Kieran McHugh
After failing to make the final in this category at last year’s Irish Rowing Championships, Kieran McHugh kicked off his 2024/25 season with a bang with a second-place finish at Castleconnell Head of the River last month. McHugh will want to go one better this time around and take the win in this category.
University College Cork: Finnian Mannix
Mannix lost out on a spot in the final in this event at last summer’s national championships by less than a second so he will be entering this event with a point to prove. As the highest placing finisher at last year’s championships who is entered in this event, it looks like he is one of the favourites to take the win.
Predictions
With 14 entries, many of whom will be racing for the first time this season it is hard to predict who will claim victory. Going off last year’s results however, I would expect both McHugh and Mannix to finish high up in the rankings.
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