Five Tribesmen rowers finished in the medal position in the largest competition of its type held in Ireland, the Indoor Rowing Championships in Dublin.
The biggest news of the day, however, was produced by Lisa Dilleen. A couple of weeks ago she had won the British Indoor Rowing championship with a respectible 7:06.3. She, and fellow Tribesmen crewmate Lorna Smith were expecting a strong challenge from Derry's Laura D'Urso. However Dilleen produced the race of her life, clocking a most impressive 6:59.4, finishing with more than 30 seconds to spare over the Derry rower, while Smith completed the winners’ podium, coming home in bronze medal position.
Not only had Dilleen clocked the fastest female time of the day overall, but a review of the record books showed she had wrestled the Irish record from fellow Tribes rower, Heather Boyle, who had set a time of 7:02.9 in 2004.
Aisling Harris, competing in the u-23 open category for the first time scored a well earned bronze behind the experienced Gannon of UCD.
The Egan sisters, Sarah and Rachel, proved almost inseperable in the Junior-16 race, finishing in gold and silver positions respectively, while Sinead Ruane and Bebhinn Flaherty competed at J14 and J15 and also turned in respectable results.
Organised by Olympic coach John Holland, and using 24 rowing machines, competition was offered for men and women from 13 years of age to 70+.
The rowing machine is a core tool in the rower's winter training arsenal, providing an excellent indicator of the rower’s stamina and fitness levels.
