No Sanita Puspure, but strong Irish rowing team returns to water for European Championships

Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy have retained the combination that won them the world title two years ago in the lightweight men’s double sculls and are favourites for gold.

Ireland's Fintan McCarthy and Paul O’Donovan on their way to finishing first to qualify for the A final and the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Picture: INPHO/Detlev Seyb

Ireland’s rowers return to international competition this weekend, when Italy hosts the European Championships on Lake Varese. With the Olympic regatta just three months away, the event will give crews their first chance this season to assess the likely competition in Tokyo.

But Ireland rowing fans will be denied the chance to see Sanita Puspure open her international account, after the world champion decided to stay at home to prepare for the World Cup regatta next month in Lucerne, Switzerland.