Taking place in County Clare, this 3-kilometre course will see ten crews battle it out, aiming to start 2025 with a win. The course will be sure to test out the winter miles the crews have been putting in. With many cancellations of head races since September, St Michael’s Head will be crucial in seeing where crews are at in their training.
Muckross Rowing Club (A)
After placing fourth in junior quads at the Irish Rowing Championships last summer, Muckross RC (A) will be sure to have been clocking up the winter miles to build on their speed from last summer. Going off just ahead of their second crew will also prove to be a thrilling inter-club battle on the river, as I am sure the B crew will not want to give them an easy race.
St Michael’s Rowing Club
A crew made up of younger juniors, this race will surely be tough for them, but with a home advantage, bow seat Eve Foley will know how to steer the best line possible to get them down the course quickly. With the members of this crew placing third in Junior 16 eights at the Irish Rowing Championships, it is clear that they know how to race and will make sure to put this experience to good use at the weekend.
Shandon Boat Club
Sitting in bow pair Elsey Symons and Emily Weston will be sure to bring their experience after narrowly missing out on an Irish Rowing Championship win in the Junior eight this past July. Sitting at stroke of the quad is Roisin Manning, fresh off taking 3rd at the Irish Indoor Championships in the Junior 16 two kilometre event, who will be sure to show that age is simply just a number and will want to show her speed, especially given she is racing up an age group.
Prediction
With many in the category racing up an age group, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top. However, I think that the major battles will be fought between the two Muckross Rowing Club crews and Shandon Boat Club. With the few head races that have happened, all crews will want to show what they can do at the start of 2025.
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