Single sculler Dilleen puts in impressive performance in Lithuania

ROWING: ON THE eve of Irish Championships, which begin today at the National Rowing Centre in Cork, Ireland had a good day at the World Under-23 Championships in Lithuania. Two of the three Ireland women's crews made their way directly into semi-finals, and the two men's crews used the "back door" of the repechages to reach the same stage.

Perhaps the most impressive performance was that of single sculler Lisa Dilleen. The Galway woman, who turned 21 a week ago, was competing for the third time at this event, but has had a dip in form in the last year and team management were worried that an illness might have weakened her.

But she raced really well yesterday to secure second place and direct qualification in the women’s single scull. Denmark’s Rikke Quist blazed the trail in front of the four other competitors, but Dilleen pushed into second after halfway and held it well.

The double scull of Holly Nixon and Laura D’Urso, who needed to finish in the top three of their heat, held second for much of their race, exerting pressure on leaders Austria for the first three quarters. In the final 500 metres Austria moved away, while Ireland were passed by France.

The final stages were also not the strongest part of the race for Claire Lambe. She lost out in a battle with Anna Ioannou of Cyprus in the lightweight single scull. There was just one direct qualification place on offer and Ioannou shot off early into the lead with Lambe her only real opponent.

The Irish woman upped her rate in the the third quarter and got ahead the Cypriot. But Ioannou charged again in the final 500 metres, took over the lead and this time did not let it go.

The day finished well for the Irish as both the lightweight pair and four came through repechages. Jonny Mitchell and Shane O’Driscoll left no one in any doubt of their intentions as they won their race by leading all the way.

The four looked set to match the feat in their repechage, but were passed coming up to the line by Ukraine.

The bow pair of that crew is made up of NUIG men Eddie Mullarkey and Seán O’Connor, and the four from the NUIG old boys’ club of Gráinne Mhaol could make their mark on today’s first day of the Irish Rowing Championships.

Dave Mannion, Alan Martin, Cormac Folan and James Wall make up a crew which is a stand-out in terms of experience, with a string of titles at this level.

But the race could be a cracker. Queen’s also have a mature crew, with the power of Colin Williamson in the middle of the boat, while the Cork Boat Club entry is the one which won their first round in the Wyfold at Henley. Paddy Quinn strokes the St Michael’s entry, which has men in form in pairs rowing in Declan O’Connor, Mark O’Brien and Aidan McEvoy.

Gráinne Mhaol have not been as dominant since the sad death of coach Tom Tuohy, but they could do the business here and will also be eyeing the senior eights crown on Sunday.