European silver medal just the start for impressive women's four

The women's pair of Fiona Murtagh and Emily Hegarty had to settle for fourth in their final. 

JOYOUS: Eimear Lambe, Tara Hanlon, Natalie Long and Afric Keogh celebrate with their silver medals. ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

Ireland’s women’s four claimed a silver medal at the European Rowing Championships here in Bavaria this morning but their place on the podium doesn't begin to explain just how strong this crew and the Irish squad is right now.

Eimear Lambe and Aifric Keogh claimed bronze medals in this very race at last year’s Olympic Games but Tara Hanlon and Natalie Long didn’t. They were onlookers as Fiona Murtagh and Emily Hegarty completed the quartet at Tokyo's Sea Forest Waterway.