Irish challengers advance at U23 world championships

Rowing Ireland produced the ultimate team performance as all crews qualified for the next stage of racing on day two of the World U23 Championships in Poznan.

The day got off to a perfect start when the lightweight men’s quad won their repechage easily to progress to the A final, after placing third in the heat yesterday.

Led by UCD oarsman Andrew Goff, the rowers battled it out with Spain until the half-way mark before winning by several lengths.

Meanwhile, Jack and Fintan McCarthy breezed into the A/B semi-finals after winning the lightweight men’s double sculls. Despite being challenged early in the race by Italy, the Skibbereen twins eased to a six-second victory. There was more joy in the women’s events as the Irish lightweight pair of Lydia Heaphy (Skibbereen) and Margaret Cremen (Lee RC) showed good form to secure their place in the A/B semi-finals despite being edged out by Great Britain at the finish line.

UCC’s Hugh Sutton capped off a successful day for Ireland when he made a dramatic sprint to surpass the USA to claim second spot. Sutton finished one second behind Turkey’s Enes Yenipalzari, and now progresses through to the quarter-finals of the lightweight men’s single sculls.

Ireland’s U23 crews now go forward with hope to their respective finals, semi and quarter-finals. Race times will be published on the Rowing Ireland web and social media sites when available.