NUIG retained their Senior Eights Title at the National Rowing Championships in Farran Woods in Cork with an on-the-line victory over Queen’s University which was remarkably similar to their win last year.

Coming from behind by a length at half way to pull through, the two crews were locked together in the closing stages and a photo finish was needed to separate them. The official verdict was three feet.
This successful squad showed its calibre by the gutsy performances on Friday by taking the National Fours Title in a similar race over UCD. The UCD boat recently won at Henley Royal Regatta in London and had targeted the National Fours Title, but the NUIG Men of James Wall, Cormac Folan, Alan Martin and Paul Giblin were not going to let the title leave the West anytime soon.

Coming from behind to pull through the UCD boat and winning by three quarters of a length, NUIG captured the Senior 4s title for the eighth time in 10 years.

Seasoned internationals and Olympian Cormac Folan, Alan Martin and James Wall brought great experience to this already well-raced squad, but with fresh blood in the Bow Seat, 18 years old Eddie Mullarkey wins his first national title, elevating him to the top level of the sport.

Jason Wall, the number two seat, had his own personal win as he has fought back from Guillain-Barre syndrome (an auto-immune disorder affecting the peripheral nervous system) and had left him debilitated and using a zimmer frame and on crutches until May.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.