Turlough Hughes and Daniel Dennis, both of Dublin University Boat Club (DUBC), competed at the All-Ireland Youth and Open Regatta this weekend. The regatta took place in the National Rowing Centre in Cork and is an important part in the trialling process for this season’s Irish rowing team.
Hughes, who has already represented Ireland at junior level, put in a great performance. Competing in the Open Single Scull’s event, he came second in his heat, going into the final with the fifth fastest time. He finished sixth in the final, with the number one spot going to Fintan McCarthy. Dennis, who began rowing as a novice in Trinity, finished sixth in his heat.
In an email statement to The University Times, DUBC chief rowing coach Richard Ruggieri said: “The Irish rowing scene is very strong at the moment and Turlough had a great performance against a field of high quality scullers. To make the final of an event of this magnitude was a great achievement. Turlough will now be focusing on the Dublin Sculling Ladder on the 13th October.”
Many of DUBC’s senior rowers were absent from the regatta as they prepare for the Head of the Charles in Boston on October 20th. Ruggieri has already chosen the senior 8+ squad that will compete in Boston, with four out of the eight making their senior debut. Two of the eight are currently first years.
In an email statement to The University Times, Seán Canning, the Vice-Captain of the club, said: “There’s great excitement in the squad for the regatta. Selection has really accelerated the pace of our early season training and we had over thirty oarsmen vying for the eight seats to Boston. A good performance at the Charles will be a key milestone for us as we attack the upcoming season.”
