ROWING: Success presents its own dilemmas. Dave Kealy, the 6ft 8in, 16-stone oarsman who has become the powerhouse in Lady Elizabeth's successful eight, faces a club versus country decision in the next few weeks, writes Liam Gorman.

The club hope to be serious challengers for the senior eights title at the National Championships in July, and have strong ambitions to win honours at Henley Royal Regatta, with Kealy at the centre of things.

But Kealy's progress has brought him to the attention of the national selectors and he could be a real contender for an international boat - if he attends the national trials in two weeks.

The trials, however, clash with the London head of the river, which is part of Lady Elizabeth's programme this season. The impressive progress which Kealy has made under coach Tim Levy have to be weighed against the slim prospects of being part of a yet-to-be-formed national crew which might make it through the Olympic Qualifier in June.

The trials offer a tangible reward for lightweight men, with two places in the lightweight squad available: the personnel from the double, four and pair which made World Championship finals last year have been retained in Thor Nilsen's squad, but Herbie Griffin and Brian Young must prove themselves against all contenders. Niall O'Toole, Jonny Devitt, David Wallace and Kenny McDonald have all been knocking on the door.

RUGBY: Second-half tries by left winger Brian Mullen and captain Paul Gillespie powered a strong Sligo Grammar School side to a well merited 23-10 win over battling Colaíste Iognáid in their Connacht Schools' Senior Cup semi-final at the Grammar School grounds yesterday.

The holders opened the scoring after eight minutes of the first half with a well-worked try by Mullen.

Colaíste Iognáid drew level in the 18th minute when Paddy McGuinness went over for a try following good play by Paul Brennan and Ross O'Shaughnessy. Cormac O'Beirne converted from a difficult angle to put the "Jes" ahead.

The Galway boys' prospects looked rosy when O'Beirne struck a penalty goal in the 23rd minute. However, two penalty goals by Stuart Barron in four minutes pegged back the visitors, and the Grammar School led 11-10 at half-time.

Colaíste Iognáid's prospects took a turn for the worst when Mullen got in for a second try nine minutes into the second half, and they were under severe pressure from a resurgent Grammar School side who were growing in confidence.

Colaíste Iognáid failed to score in the second half and the Sligo school were well on their way to a meeting with St Saran's of Offaly in next Wednesday's final when Finn Considine put Paul Gillespie through for Grammar's third try midway through the half.

Scorers: Sligo Grammar School - B Mullen (two), P Gillespie tries; S Dorran (2 pens, con); Colaíste Iognáid - P McGuinness try; C O'Beirne pen con.

SLIGO GRAMMAR SCHOOL: A Quinn; B Carson, R O'Boyle, D Quinn, K Williams; K Richardson, J Draper; J Bell, S Gillespie, P Gillespie, B Mullen, S Dorran, C Goulden, J Quinn, R Butler. Replacements: F Considine for S Gillespie (half-time); S Coulter for Richardson (50).

COLÁISTE IOGNÁID: K Silke; M Gilmore, B Connolly, C Power, P McGuinness; C O'Beirne, R O'Shaughnessy; B Ashe, C Arigan, R Langan, I O'Carroll, H O'Donnellan, T O'Donnell, R Blewitt, P Brennan. Replacements: J Fitzgerald for Arigan (40 mins); C O'Connell for Gilmore (65 mins); K Moyles for McGuinness (65 mins); K Warden for O'Donnellan (65 mins); E O'Neill for O'Carroll (70 mins).

Referee: A Rowe (Connacht).

SOCCER: University College Cork completed a hat-trick of Collingwood Cup successes when they defeated University of Ulster, Coleraine 1-0 in yesterday's final in Belfast.

Striker Shane Hennessey, who had scored both of Cork's goals in their semi-final win over Queen's, hit the winner five minutes from time.

In the Plate final, Dublin Institute of Technology beat UCD on penalties after the match finished 1-1 after extra time.