St. Michael’s Head of the River 2025 – Men’s Senior, Intermediate and Junior Single Preview

The waters of O’Brien’s Bridge will hold their first event of the year this Saturday, 8 February with St. Michael’s Head of the River. As a club that has seen its junior rowers achieve great success over the last few years, it’s no surprise to see a vast number of entries in the men’s junior sculls, with over 45 boats entered. With such a high level of talent in all four men’s sculling categories, it’s anyone’s guess who will post the fastest time of the day.

Men’s Senior Sculls

Adam Kenny (University of Limerick Rowing Club)

Adam Kenny of University of Limerick Rowing Club is fresh off his junior year which saw him represent Ireland in the men’s quadruple sculls at the Coupe de la Jeunesse. Kenny is going solo in this event as he transitions from the quad to the single and makes the big step up from junior to senior rowing.

Liam Walter (University of Limerick Rowing Club)

Liam Walter from ULRC kicked his season off to a flying start at the Irish Indoor Rowing Championships last month, where he finished with an astonishing time of 6:13.4. Having represented Ireland last summer at the U23 World Rowing Championships in the men’s coxless four, Walter is moving into the smallest boat class, the single scull. Will his recent speed on the ergo transfer onto the water this weekend?

Keelan Mannix (University of Limerick Rowing Club)

A veteran sculler Keelan Mannix of ULRC is no stranger to the single scull, finishing in third place in this event at last year’s Irish Rowing Championships. As one of the most senior members of the ULRC squad, Mannix has many years’ experience on the waters of O’Brien’s Bridge, which could help him clench the win on Saturday.

Prediction

With a large contingent of ULRC entries in this category, racing will be fierce. However, I predict that we will see the seasoned Mannix take the victory in this category over his teammates, with Walter and Kenny rounding out the top three.

Men’s Intermediate Sculls

John Giles (Neptune Boat Club)

John Giles from Neptune Boat Club spent much of last season racing in the club category, returning with a bronze medal at the Irish Rowing Championships last summer. This year, he appears to be jumping into the more competitive intermediate category. Will Giles be able to stand his ground against tougher competition?

Marco Tot (Muckross Boat Club)

Muckross’ Marco Tot had a disappointing finish at last year’s National Championships in this event, failing to qualify for the final. He is a very experienced sculler who will be looking for redemption this season, and a win at St. Michael’s HOR would be a great start.

Predictions

I expect to see John Giles win in this event after his impressive performance at the indoors last month. However, Tot could pose a serious threat to his victory.

Men’s Junior 18 Sculls

Jack Rafferty (St. Michael’s)

Jack Rafferty’s 2024 season culminated with a second-place finish in this boat class at last year’s National Championships. A second-place finish was once again on the cards for Rafferty at January’s indoors, where he earned the silver medal in a time of 6:15.3.  As he kicks off his final year as a junior rower, he will undoubtedly be eyeing the win on home waters

Jonah Kirby (Kenmare Rowing Club)

Making a big step up from the Junior 16 to Junior 18 age bracket is Jonah Kirby of Kenmare Rowing Club, winner of the Junior 16 single scull at last year’s National Championships. He proved that he can hold his own in the Junior 18 category on the ergo, finishing third out of 169 competitors at the Irish Indoor Rowing Championships last month, but will he be able to find that same speed in the boat?

Richard Heaslip (Athlone Boat Club)

Having represented Ireland at last year’s Coupe de la Jeunesse in the single scull, Richard Heaslip from Athlone BC will have lots of experience in the single. Another athlete who is new to the Junior 18 age group, he will want to start his junior career off with a win at St. Michael’s HOR.

Evan O’Byrne (St. Michael’s Rowing Club)

Evan O’Byrne from St. Michael’s Rowing Club achieved incredible success last season, representing Ireland at the U19 World Rowing Championships in the U19 men’s coxed four, which finished in fifth place. This weekend, however, he will be picking up an extra oar as he swaps from sweeping to sculling for the 3km Head of the River.

Prediction

Whilst this event has an abundance of highly talented scullers, I believe that Jack Rafferty will take the win, a sculler who has consistently shown his dominance over the past few years. I expect Jonah Kirby and Richard Heaslip to finish close behind Rafferty.

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