Irish Schools Regatta attracts 315 crews from 47 schools

Under-23 single sculls at O’Brien’s Bridge on Sunday features the outstanding junior of the moment, David O’Malley


The Irish Schools Regatta takes place on Sunday at O'Brien's Bridge and has a record 315 crews entered from 47 schools in all four provinces. The entry in the men's under-23 single sculls features the outstanding junior of the moment, David O'Malley. The Presentation, Cork, crews can call on more of last year's Ireland junior international squad in the form of David and Brian Keohane.

The same venue hosts tomorrow's Limerick Regatta. The volume of junior entries is remarkable. There are 24 Junior 15 coxed quadruples - that is 120 competitors entered in one event. However, the adult entry is light. There are no entries in the men's senior eights, which is at least preferable to the situation at last weekend's Trinity Regatta, where three top-class crews entered but only the hosts' crew actually presented themselves on the day. Limerick also has, surprisingly, no entries in the women's senior single sculls, though the entry for the men's single includes returning international Tim Harnedy.

Men's quadruple
The men's senior quadruple has an interesting line-up, with a strong Queen's University entry featuring Tiernan Oliver, Adam Boreham, James McKelvey and Chris Beck. Conor Carmody teams up with Kenny and John McDonald and Adam Browne in the Shannon crew, while Carlow and a Carlow/Three Castles crew complete the entry.

The UCD women’s club two eight which won at Skibbereen Regatta has been disqualified. Shannon take the winners’ medals. UCD substituted senior oarswoman Siofra Bennett into the crew; once the substitution was processed in the new tracker system after the regatta if was immediately obvious that her points pushed the crew out of the club two ranking. This grade is equivalent to the old novice grade. UCD admitted their mistake.

It was not a good weekend for Alan Campbell at the British trials. The Coleraine man was disqualified after arriving late for the men's single sculls final and then posting a false start. He was eventually allowed to take part, but could only finish third on the water. Charles Cousins of Leander was a clear winner.

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In the men's lightweight single sculls, Peter Chambers and Richard Chambers finished third and fourth. Joel Cassells, was third in the B Final.

Liam Gorman

Liam Gorman

Liam Gorman is a contributor to The Irish Times specialising in rowing