Boyle stakes a claim

IRISH competitors had mixed fortunes at the World Rowing Championships in Milan yesterday.

Single sculler Heather Boyle, in her fourth race of the week at Idroscalo, finished third in the lightweight B final and ninth overall in the world standings.

That puts her in the frame for a seat in the lightweight double sculls boat, as Fionnula Foley and Sinead Jennings have endured a tough time in Milan, finishing fourth in their C final yesterday in 7:17.18, almost five seconds down on winners China.

With this week’s event doubling as Olympic qualification, the pair failed in their bid to secure a berth in Athens next year but have another chance to book their tickets early next summer in Lucerne.

Limerick’s Brian Young won the lightweight singles’ C final by more than three seconds from Algeria’s Mohamed Aich and has moved to 13th in the world.

Three Irish crews compete in today's grand finals at the Championships. Neil Casey and Derek Holland won through in the light coxless pairs directly from their heat; Sam Lynch and Gearoid Towey won their double sculls semi-final as did the light coxless four of Richard Archibald, Eugene Oakley, Tim Hardney and Paul Griffin - both crews qualifying for Athens.