Irish interest ended at Henley regatta

Quarter-finals' day at Henley Royal Regatta brought an end to the Irish challenge. Dave Neale and Eimantas Grigalius of Three Castles had to give way to the superior force of the British double of John Collins and Jonathan Walton and Anthony English exited the Diamond Sculls to an Australian international.

Collins and Walton gained control of the race early on, leading by three lengths after 500 metres, and effectively had the race won by half way. Their next assignment is the World Cup at Lucerne in Switzerland next weekend.

Mayoman English, who is now based in Britain and competes for Nottingham Rowing Club, was giving away almost four stone to Nick Purnell, a London Olympian. Purnell was able to establish a four-length lead and then ease off on his stroke rate.

Henley Royal Regatta, Day Three (Selected Results; Irish interest)

Double Sculls Challenge Cup (Men, Open): Leander (J Collins, J Walton) bt Three Castles (D Neale, E Grigalius) 2l, 7 mins 48 secs.

Diamond Challenge Sculls (Men, Open Single): N Purnell (National Training Centre, Australia) bt A English (Nottingham RC) easily, 8:44.