Jennings forced out with neck injury

ROWING: Sinead Jennings has had to pull out of this weekend's World Cup regatta at Hazewinkel in Belgium because of a neck problem for which she is receiving treatment in Dublin.

The world champion lightweight single sculler was entered in the lightweight double scull with Heather Boyle, but they have now withdrawn.

However, chief coach Hamish Burrell said yesterday that he expected Jennings to be in contention for the next World Cup regatta, in Lucerne next month.

Because of the recent stand-off between the athletes and the team management, which prompted changes in the management structure, the lightweight double had been set to be the only Irish representatives at Hazewinkel.

However, Burrell said yesterday that he felt the Ireland squad will be ready to move forward from Monday - but at a new location in Enniskillen.

The lack of facilities at the National Rowing Centre in Inniscarra in Cork has made it an unsuitable location for the moment at least.

Yesterday, Mick O'Callaghan, the former team manager and now High Performance Director, confirmed that development work is to start at Inniscarra "next week or the week after".

It is hoped to have a boathouse with shower facilities and toilets ready for use by the end of the year.

In relation to the proposed full-time team manager's job, O'Callaghan said he was interested only in voluntary and part-time service to the sport.

Yesterday he was busy helping to prepare the Inniscarra Lake course for the Cork regatta tomorrow and for Fermoy's on Sunday.

The line-up for the men's senior eights tomorrow is impressive, with two UCD crews, Neptune, University of Limerick, NUIG, Commercial and Trinity all entered.