Draw not kind to Irish crews in bid for Henley glory

Ireland’s hopes of doing well at Henley Royal Regatta this year have been dented by the draw.

None of the five Irish crews have been “selected” (seeded), but three of them, if they are to progress, must beat seeded crews from the United States on their first outing.

UCD's talented and experienced four in the Visitors' Cup have been drawn against Harvard University; Trinity must beat University of Virginia A in the Prince Albert for student fours; Belfast Boat Club, who came through the qualifiers to the Britannia Cup draw, take on Union Boat Club.

UCD beat Harvard on their way to a Henley win in the Prince Albert in 2010 (Dave Neale from that crew remains) and they will be out to prove their mettle.

Commercial’s quadruple scull should be favourites in their first round clash on Thursday against an English combination crew of Poplar Blackwall and District (from the East End of London) and Anglia Ruskin rowing club.

The UCD eight in the Temple Cup for college eights may also fancy their chances against University of Bristol when they go into action at 2.35pm tomorrow, the first day of the regatta.

Trinity will begin the Irish challenge, at 11.20 am.

Draw For Henley Royal Regatta (Irish interest)

Temple Cup (Eights, Student): UCD v University of Bristol

Visitors Cup (Fours, Intermediate): UCD v Harvard A (selected crew)

Prince of Wales Cup (Quadruple Sculls, Intermediate): Commercial v PB and DRC and Anglia Ruskin

Britannia (Coxed Fours, Club): Belfast BC v Union BC (US) (selected)

Prince Albert (Fours, Student): Trinity v University of Virginia (selected)

Double Sculls (Open): R Chambers, P Chambers (selected) v winners of Knight and Bell and Mole and Fisher in quarter-final

Diamond Sculls (Single Sculls, Open): A Campbell (selected) v winner of GP Bozhilov and DS Read in quarter-final