Strong entry for Erne Head

ROWING:EVEN IN the midst of a packed early-season schedule, tomorrow's Erne Head of the River has drawn a quality entry.

Last weekend Queen’s University took on Oxford on the Thames in London to give the English crew a test before the Boat Race, which is in two weeks. The Belfast college found the test chastening, with their first and second eights beaten well by Oxford and their second eight, Isis, respectively.

The Queen’s eights go off first and second tomorrow at Enniskillen, with a University of Limerick eight (with Mark O’Brien of St Michael’s subbing in) and Trinity’s intermediate crew providing the opposition. The clash could be interesting: UL had a terrific season at intermediate level last year, and this will be the first chance to gauge how the they may do in the senior ranks this year.

Trinity’s eyes are on Dublin’s version of the Boat Race, the Gannon and Corcoran Cup colours races, which are set for St Patrick’s Day on the Liffey right in the heart of the city.

The scheduling should give the spectator-friendly event the boost it deserves – the organisers are dealing with requests from more than one camera crew – and the presentation is set for the steps of the GPO just before the festival parade begins.

UCD must be strong favourites to win the Gannon Cup, on the evidence of the win by their big and powerful senior eight at the Dublin Head last weekend – albeit Trinity opted not to compete.

Turlough Hughes was a notable absentee from the UCD eight because of a minor injury, but he is set to row in the colours race. Although he represented Ireland at the World Junior Championships last year, Hughes told The Irish Times he will not be trialling at international level this season.

The quantity and quality of juniors and lightweights continues to be encouraging. Five college junior eights – including St Joseph’s from Galway and Presentation from Cork – are entered in tomorrow’s Erne head, and the big entry for the Kerry Head tomorrow also features a sizeable junior contingent. Cathal Moynihan, who represented Ireland at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, competes in the senior single scull.

Seán O’Neill, who also rowed for Ireland in Beijing, will represent New Zealand at the World Championships in Bled in Slovenia in late August/early September. The Limerick man lives in New Zealand and has established himself on the national team.