Trinity Regatta 2025 – Men’s Senior Eight Preview

Trinity Regatta has always felt like the heralding of summer, and this year seems no different. Weather forecasts a week out promise sun and 18°C, perfect conditions for racing and spectating. This regatta is undoubtedly the best spectator event of the Irish rowing calendar, with every meter of the 1,800m course visible from the towpath that runs alongside it, and the refreshments tent at the finish line brightens the spirits of the observer and the competitor who has finished racing for the day. The blue riband event of the regatta has only two competitors, Commercial Rowing Club, and hosts Dublin University Boat Club (Trinity).

Commercial Rowing Club

Commercial Rowing Club are fielding a strong eight, comprised of six of the oarsmen who narrowly came second to Cork Boat Club at Skibbereen Regatta. Injuries and university exams have forced Commercial’s crew changes, but it is a testament to their squad strength that they can still field an eight this strong. Liam Junkermann moves into the stroke seat, and club stalwart Ed Meehan backs him up in the seven seat. This new combination will be eager to put down a mark in this race and show their coaches their racing ability. This crew contains five former Trinity oarsmen, and a former Trinity coxswain, Rowan Hamilton. Their presence will add to the gladiatorial nature of the two-lane side-by-side race as they race the current students of their alma mater. Hamilton is a vastly experienced coxswain, especially on this stretch of the River Liffey, and is a massive asset to the Commercial crew.

Dublin University Boat Club

The regatta hosts, Trinity, hope to put behind them recent disappointments and impress the spectators and alumni who will gather in the War Memorial Garden to watch the exciting racing. They have made four changes to their university championship eight, which was off the pace. A notable addition to the crew is experienced oarsman Alfie Hales. Hales showed his class among his peers in Trinity by finishing highest of the Trinity pairs at Skibbereen Regatta. His boatmanship will be a welcome addition to this crew that finds itself lagging the top senior eights in Ireland.

Prediction

I fear the hosts of this regatta will find themselves disappointed after this event; the Commercial Rowing Club crew are just too strong for the Trinity crew. I believe, aside from the superior physical condition of the Commercial rowers, the point of difference will be the coxing of this curving, flowing course, and Rowan Hamilton has the edge over Trinity’s James O’Brien on that front. Commercial will win by clear water.