Inaugural Lough Rynn Regatta attracts big numbers

Beautiful Day by U2 played out at the European Championships after Ireland's second medal of the day on Sunday. It suited the Ireland mood, if not the woeful weather. The organisers of the inaugural Lough Rynn Regatta on Saturday have stronger hopes for good conditions.

The Co Leitrim course is top class – it was laid by the same company, Polaritas of Hungary, that worked on the Olympic courses in London and Rio de Janeiro.

Rowing Ireland, with its huge investment in the National Rowing Centre in Cork, initially stood outside the development, which was led by Leitrim County Council with a primary aim of building tourism.

However, under Eamon Colclough and with the blessing of the Rowing Ireland board, Irish rowing is now embracing Lough Rynn. Saturday’s event is big 235 crews from all four provinces have entered. The use of eight lanes – six is the standard – is novel, but will move the programme along swiftly.

Two NUIG crews take on Commercial in the senior eights. The junior 18 eights might produce one of the best races: the top schools-based crews from Portora, St Joseph’s and Cólaiste Iognáid take on Neptune and St Michael’s.

Share of credit

In the men’s senior four, strong crews from Commercial and NUIG take on Portora, backboned by recent Ireland internationals Barney Rix and Lloyd Seaman, and an Ireland junior squad crew.

The Lee Regatta on the Marina in Cork, also on Saturday, is a non-status, 500 metre event which promises a fun day out for families.

Skibbereen and the National Rowing Centre won their share of credit for the making of the European champions, Paul and Gary O’Donovan. The windy conditions common there had prepared the Ireland lightweight double for the poor weather in Brandenburg.

However, the hard work which brought the crew up to the level of their opponents was done in Seville. And it was done under the aegis of coach Dominic Casey.