Two big regattas and a knockout race between just two competitors make for an interesting weekend of rowing. Dublin Metropolitan Regatta at Blessington sees the best club rowers fight it out

in the Grand League Regatta, while two Ireland crews compete at the the European Junior Championships in Racice in the Czech Republic.

The head-to-head between Sinéad Jennings and Siobhán McCrohan, set for Saturday morning at the National Rowing Centre, follows their dead heat in their first race.

The quality of that race so impressed Ireland performance director Morten Espersen that he said the winner will represent Ireland at the European Championships in Poznan on May 29th to 31st – the original demand that they show sufficient quality is no longer necessary.

Seven Ireland crews will travel to Poznan, but the Ireland interest will not stop there: Peter Chambers and Joel Cassells, both of whom represented Ireland at junior level, form a lightweight pair for Britain, while Peter's brother Richard teams up with William Fletcher in the lightweight men's double. Gary and Paul O'Donovan will be the Ireland lightweight double.

Internet campaign

The Ireland crews competing at the European Junior Championships this Saturday and Sunday have had their own challenges. Espersen made “a small contribution” to their expenses, but the six young men in the quadruple and double sculls have raised close on €5,000 through an internet campaign in order to represent their country. Neither crew will have it easy on the water, either. There is an entry of 18 crews in both events.

College exams have played their part in weakening the entry in the Division One eights at Metro on Saturday – though NUIG/Gráinne Mhaol should still be the fastest crew. The men’s quadruple should provide the pick of the A Finals, though it is understood that Commercial will not be going on to Henley Royal Regatta, as work commitments rule Colm Dowling out.