One of Ireland’s longest-running regattas, the Trinity Regatta is a highlight of the summer rowing season — tight racing, high stakes, and no room to hide in the sprint through Dublin’s bustling city. The Men’s Junior 18 Eights will be a tight two-boat contest between Blackrock College and Neptune Rowing Club – two programs implementing vastly different styles with the same goal: reach the line first.
Blackrock College
Blackrock approach this race with a boat packed with intent and a clearly calculated race strategy. Their cox, Dan Moran, is renowned for his ability to keep his crew motivated under pressure, making definite calls in close situations – just what’s needed on a course like Trinity. Ian Duane occupies the dominant six-seat, whose drive through the middle determines the rhythm. In the stroke seat is Jon-Luc Elias, leading the crew along with a crisp rhythm, which the rest of the boat uses as their foundation to work from. Blackrock will start clean, lock into their rhythm out in the middle phases, and then finally unleash a dominant high-rate finishing run in the last 300m.
Neptune Rowing Club
Neptune have produced a technically sound and highly enthusiastic crew. Jamie Waters in the bow seat will be balancing the shell through the opening strokes, with Emmet Villing in the stroke seat on the other end of the boat setting the pace and attitude for the crew. Completed by Euan Richardson on the rudder lines — a calm and level-headed cox who thrives in tactical duels — this Neptune boat is built to make big plays and fast finishes. They’ll likely reserve their power for when it matters most and employ back-half speed to get the screws turning when it’s time to win.
Prediction
This is an old-school battle between two Dublin clubs: Blackrock, with their disciplined fury and on-water rapport, and Neptune, a club famous for performing under duress. Both coxes will be crucial, especially in the tight lanes of Trinity. It will be an even match right to the line.
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