Three Galwegian rowers, destined to represent Ireland at future international events,were part of a team that travelled to the Wedeu International Regatta at the weekend.
Tribesmen's Siobhan McCrohan, and NUIG's Cormac Folan and Niall Kenny were members of the Irish team competing at Duisburg.
McCrohan was teamed up with the experienced Siobhan Jacob for the women's lightweight double-scull, but the pair were drawn against fellow crews that took podium positions in the final. Had they been drawn in another heat, their time would have put them in medal contention.
Niall Kenny, with partner Michael Maher (Commercial ), took second and third in the heat and final respecively, while the heavyweight pair with Cormac Folan had a poor row, finishing sixth in their heat.
However the following day Kenny/Maher produced a technically flawed but extremely gutsy performance to finish a mere 2/3 length behind the Germans in their final and the heavy pair had a much better day with a fifth in the A final.
The women's light quad faced a two-boat race against an Austrian boat of established pedigree and finished a mere two seconds adrift.
The Galway rowers now travel to the first World Cup of the year in Bled, Slovenia, this week. Five lightweight double sculls will travel - three women and two men, along with an Adaptive Rowing men's single and four. This time Siobhan Crohan is teamed up with Claire Lamb (Commercial ), while Niall Kenny continues to be teamed with Maher. Racing commences Friday and can be followed through www.fisa.org or www.worldrowing.com
