ROWING:TWO CREWS will represent Ireland at the World Under-23 Championships which begin on Thursday at Racice in the Czech Republic. Niall Kenny of NUIG and Mark O'Donovan of Skibbereen will form a lightweight double scull, while Michael Maher of Commercial is one of the 31 lightweight single scullers entered in this big event.
A group of 19 athletes, including experienced and less experienced rowers, are taking part in a two-week camp at the National Rowing centre.
The Ireland team for the Home International regatta, which takes place next weekend in Nottingham, was still being finalised last night. The €425 fee for competitors in the Homes is considered steep by some, but Martin Corcoran, the chief executive of Rowing Ireland, yesterday explained the charges in terms of travel for the team, accommodation and insurance, along with the cost of the official banquet. The sport is basking this week in the glow of a huge, and generally very successful National Championships. Add in a ninth place at Lucerne for Seán Casey in the men’s single scull and there is clearly life in the sport.
There is a neat link between the two events – Anita and Denise Casey, rowers in the winning Muckross/Carlow women’s senior eight are Seán Casey’s sisters.
Some of the outstanding figures in the sport just now are women: Sanita Puspure (who will represent Ireland at the Home Internationals) added her first national title – in Ireland or her native Latvia – to medals won at World Student Games (gold in 2004) and Under-23 level (bronze in 2003).
Sinéad Jennings finally landed a national title. She may compete as a cyclist or rower next season, having balanced sport and medicine over the last year. Moving up fast is Lisa Dilleen, the 18-year-old who is amassing national titles at a steady rate.
