Lightweight four advance to World Rowing semis

The Irish men’s lightweight four of Paul Griffin, Richard Archibald, Eugene Coakley and Cathal Moynihan have booked themselves a place in the semi-finals of the World Rowing Championships in Munich today by finishing third in their quarter-final.

The result presents them with a marvellous opportunity to qualify the boat for next year’s Olympics as the top eleven of the twelve semi-finalists will be assured of a starting berth in Beijing.

The French four; reigning world silver medallists led the field by almost a boat length after 750 metres with the Irish occupying second just ahead of reigning gold medallists China.

Japan, the Czech Republic and Portugal followed close behind.

The Irish tried to pull away from the Chinese but at 1,250 metres the Chinese came level with the Irish four, with the French maintaining their length lead.

The Irish remained smooth and kept pace with the Chinese to almost the 1,500 metre mark where the Chinese pushed into second leaving the Irish third and the Japanese challenging in fourth.

The crews crossed the line in that order meaning the Irish had secured that much coveted place in the semi-finals.

After the race Eugene Coakley said: "We did what was necessary today; we’re very pleased we’ve secured our third place and we’re in the semi-finals now.

"We’re in the picture now in the top twelve. That’s where all twenty-seven that started wanted to be. The top eleven from that go through to the Olympics and that’s our target. We’ve every chance now."