Cork regatta to provide form indicators for Irish Rowing Championships

The final Grand League of the season, the Cork regatta, which takes place at the National Rowing Centre in Farran Wood next Saturday 2 July, looks set to be a dress rehearsal for the Irish Rowing Championships.

This is the final opportunity for crews to 'test the waters' competitively, with results being good form indicators for their end of season goal in two weeks time at the Championships.

Skibbereen still lead the Grand League points table coming into the final event. They are 200 points ahead of second and third place clubs, Neptune and Commercial.

The men's Division 1 single scull will be highly contested with John Keohane, fresh from his win of the Elite single scull (1x) at London's Marlow Regatta last weekend, facing new competition from Beijing Olympians Sean Casey and Cathal Moynihan. The Muckross duo will join together for the Men's Senior double at this regatta and may even look to form a composite crew in another event for the three day Irish Rowing Championships in a fortnight's time

The men's Division 1 eight will see UCD take on NUIG. The mental advantage of a win in this regatta could prove very important coming into the final days of training for the Irish Rowing Championships' blue riband senior eight event. Queens have chosen to spend the weekend on the Lagan, thus leaving their competitors in the dark as to their current form.

The women's Division 1 single scull sees a very high standard across the board. Old Collegian's Denise Walsh, St. Michael's Sheila Clavin and three Skibbereen lightweight scullers will be amongst the rowers hoping to prevent Killorglin's Monika Dukarska from taking first place.

Based on results from Saturday's racing, the 2011 Home International team will be selected. The team will travel to Strathclyde to race on July 23.