Seven Irish crews make progress

ROWING: Henley Regatta Ireland has a healthy representation of seven crews at today's quarter-final stage of the Henley Royal Regatta, although in most cases the crews face their biggest challenge so far.

While Belfast Rowing Club lost their B crew from the Wyfold for coxless fours yesterday, their fine run continued as their Thames Cup eight and their A crew in the Wyfolds came through. Both will face seeded crews today, in the shape of London's B crew and Thames A respectively.

Coach Garth Young said he had not cast his eye over today's opponents. "Looking at them isn't going to make us any faster. They can look at us all the like!" The Thames Cup crew was included in the Henley contingent quite late in the day and are a new crew, learning all the time. "Because they have had less than 20 outings they get better every time they go out," said Young.

In the Temple Cup for student eights yesterday, Trinity College, Dublin, had only three quarters of a length to spare over University of Birmingham at the end, but they were convincing winners. Today, however, Trinity meet Cornell University, an impressive lightweight crew.

The exit of the Galway/ Skibbereen composite of John Forde, Danny O'Dowd, Kenny McCarthy and John Wholley from the Visitors' Cup was a disappointment yesterday, and Neptune lost out in the Thames Cup to seeded crew Agecroft. But Shannon made it through in the Visitors', although they face a tough challenge in the form of Army Rowing Club.

St Michael's go back into action today in the Britannia for coxed four, and would be hopeful of overcoming Reading. "If we go out there and race like we can race, then - without jinxing ourselves - we would hope that we would beat them," said Leonard Smalle, who is overseeing the experienced crew in the absence of coach Pat McInerney.

In the Remenham Cup for women's eights, UCD's strong crew, which is seeded, have their first outing today, and would also be expected to progress. "We have a good chance," agreed UCD head coach John Holland. Their opponents, Furnivall, were the fastest qualifiers, but the crew and coach Tom O'Sullivan are hopeful of making tomorrow's semi-finals.