Irish rowers to contest eight finals at the European Rowing Championships
Paul O'Donovan, left, and Fintan McCarthy of Ireland before their A/B semi-final
Irish rowers will contest a stunning finals at the European Rowing Championships in Varese, Italy on Sunday.
Ireland will be represented in six A finals along with competitors in a B and C decider.
The qualification process was completed this morning with a number of hugely impressive displays.
Paul O'Donovan (UCC) and Fintan McCarthy (Skibbereen RC) were impressive as they qualified for the final of lightweight men's double sculls with a huge statement of intent. O'Donovan and McCarthy finished in 6:22.74, almost three seconds clear of the Italian crew in second. The German crew won the other semi-final in a time of 6:24.51.
Aoife Casey and Margaret Cremen (both UCC) booked their place in the final of the lightweight women's double sculls when finishing second in their semi-final three seconds behind the Italian crew.
However there was disappointment for Philip Doyle and Ronan Byrne in the double sculls semi-finals as they failed to progress to the A final. The pair now race in the B final tomorrow.
In the final race featuring an Irish competitor, Daire Lynch finished second in the Men’s Single Scull C/D semi-final. Lynch finished behind the Russian sculler with the Cypriot boat taking third and he will race in the C Final on Sunday morning.
Daire Lynch (C final).
Phil Doyle & Ronan Byrne (B final).
Lydia Heaphy (A final).
Gary O’Donovan (A final).
Monika Dukarska & Aileen Crowley (A final).
Emily Hegarty, Eimear Lambe, Aifric Keogh & Fiona Murtagh (A final).
Aoife Casey & Margaret Cremen (A final).
Paul O’Donovan & Fintan McCarthy (A final).
