The selection of no fewer than four crews which will effectively be travelling for development purposes or as back-up to the three top crews is a surprise aspect in the choice of the team to represent Ireland at the World Championships at Cologne next month. The Irish Amateur Rowing Union set a very high qualification mark early in the year, specifying that only crews which were likely to make the A finals would be automatic choices. The men's lightweight four and lightweight quadruple scull, and lightweight single sculler Sam Lynch were seen to have met this criterion, although the quad was modified last weekend with Fermoy's Gearoid Towey replacing Emmet O'Brien after trials at Blessington. Two of the four crews which will join them at Cologne have been contenders this year but did not prove themselves likely finalists. The all-Commercial women's lightweight quadruple scull and single sculler Albert Maher both travelled to the Copenhagen international regatta at the beginning of the month to try and prove their credentials but were judged not to have reached the mark by the National director of coaching, Thor Nilsen.
The men's lightweight double scull of John Armstrong and Eugene Coakley and single sculler Ruth Doyle, formerly of Trinity but now rowing with Thames in England, will also be travelling.
Team manager Dermot Henihan yesterday stressed that long-term thinking was behind many of the choices, as well as the need to have reserves. "We are trying to keep as many people in the picture as possible," he said.
The men's lightweight double scull and heavyweight single scull are both Olympic events. "We would hope to see some of the boats give their best performances of the year in Cologne. Using the 1999 World Championships as a qualifier for the Sydney Olympics wouldn't give them a hope in hell."
For all this it has to be said that Ruth Doyle, and to a lesser extent the men's double scull, seem fortunate to have gained selection. Doyle has failed to prove herself a contender at World Cup level this year, and now travels to Cologne, effectively as a reserve to a lightweight quad which itself is not seen as a likely finalist. It would also be a surprise if 19-year-old Eugene Coakley and John Armstrong, who is now in his 30s, developed into a crew which would eventually travel to Sydney 2000.
