New Ireland crews will compete in italy

After the rain and winds comes a storm of activity. The Ireland team to compete in Piediluco in Italy next weekend has been named; the first domestic regatta of the year, Neptune, runs this evening and tomorrow; and the Rowing Ireland agm will be held on Sunday.

The work of the Ireland high performance team on forging new crews was very evident at the trials last weekend. Two new combinations – Lisa Dilleen and Leonora Kennedy in the pair and Eimear Moran and Monika Dukarska in the double sculls – will represent Ireland in Italy.

Sanita Puspure, who also impressed at the trials, will compete in a single scull.

Yesterday lightweight single sculler Paul O'Donovan was added, effectively replacing John Keohane, who has not been well.

The Ireland squad, which is strongest in the women's categories, has caught a break with the confirmation of new Olympic qualification criteria by the International Olympic Committee.

Nailed down
The places which can be nailed down at next year's World Championships in the women's double sculls and pair and the women's lightweight double go up from eight to 11.

An Ireland women's lightweight double has yet to be formed, but the men's lightweight pair of Mark O'Donovan and Niall Kenny will be part of the Ireland team this season.

A senior squad will travel to the European Championships (May 30th to June 1st, Belgrade), the second World Cup in Aiguebelette in France (June 20th to 22nd) and the World Championships in Amsterdam (August 24th to 31st).

Skibbereen man Richard Coakley, who won silver at the first World Cup in Sydney, Australia, representing the host country, told The Irish Times yesterday that while he was "really grateful" for the supportive messages he received from Ireland, he was unsure about moving back into the Ireland system:

“I think my decision to move home should be based on deciding I want to move back to Ireland again rather than just moving home to row.”

The entry for Neptune Regatta confirms the huge interest in rowing at junior level.