Irish duo win world U23 gold, O'Donovan and McCrohan into finals

Paul O'Donovan and Siobhán McCrohan go in their finals on Saturday evening. 

Ireland’s Paul O’Donovan in action at the 2024 World Rowing Championships. Picture: ©INPHO/Detlev Seyb

Donnacha Keeley and Ciarán Purdy won gold for Ireland in the lightweight double sculls at the World U23 Rowing Championships in St Catharine's, Canada on Friday.

Clonmel man Keeley and Belfast man Purdy won in 6:14.58, less than a second slower than the world u23 best time for the event. They finished 0.75 ahead of Italy in second and 1.49 seconds ahead of France in third. Purdy won silver in the event two years ago alongside Hugh Moore.