Ray of hope as heavyweight four earn place in semi-final

AFTER the disappointments of the first day of the World Rowing Championships at Eton, there was much better news yesterday for the Irish team at the Dorney Lake venue.

The Irish men’s heavyweight four of Cormac Folan, Sean O’Neill, Sean Casey and Alan Martin became the first Irish boat to qualify for the semi-finals by finishing second behind France in their repechage, in a time of 5.58.21.

In a thrilling race, the French crew set the pace with the Irish and Czechs not far behind. It was in the third quarter that the Irish crew snatched the lead from the French, while the Australians disputed third with the Czechs. France finished the strongest coming through the Irish at the line but notably, the Irish finished ahead of the Czech crew, something they’ve never managed before.