Irish Rowing Championships

The Irish Rowing Championships commences today at The National Rowing Centre, Farran Woods, Cork. With a record number of crews, the event will be the biggest to date. 875 crews will travel from the four corners of the country to race over the three days of the event.

Starting tomorrow at 9:00am with the heats of the Men's junior scull. The first final of the day will be the men's Junior 16 coxed quad four at 11:45. Followed at 12:00 with the coveted Women's Senior four which will be a close call between Skibbereen, DULBC, Commercial Rowing Club, Dublin and a composite of Cork Boat Club/NUIG, Galway.

Afternoon's racing will feature the highly sought-after Men's junior coxed eight final at 16:25 with five crews racing. Based on this season's racing the event will be an exciting one with Portora Boat Club (Enniskillen), Colaiste Iognaid (Galway), Bann, St. Joseph's (Galway) and Cork Boat Club contesting each other for the prestigious School's Union Trophy.

At 11am tomorrow morning Mr. Bernard Allen TD for Cork North Central and former Minister of State at the Department of Education and the Environment with special responsibility for Youth and Sport will unveil a plaque dedicated to Mr. Michael O'Callaghan (Lee Valley Rowing Club) for his work and dedication in the building and establishment of the National Rowing Centre.

More than 52 Clubs which converts to 2000 competitors together with their family, friends and supporters will travel to the National Rowing Centre, Farran Woods, Cork for this three day event, which to many is the pinnacle of the rowing season.