As the Olympic Games continue in Paris, the Irish rowing team has showcased impressive performances on the water. Day 2 was very successful, with the Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls in the Repêchage tomorrow and the Women’s Four on Wednesday, while the remaining five boats go straight through to the semi-finals later in the week.
Women’s Pair (Fiona Murtagh & Aifric Keogh)
Fiona Murtagh and Aifric Keogh demonstrated their strength and synergy, finishing 2nd in their heat. Their performance secured them a place in the Semi Final on Wednesday, starting at 9:54 am GMT.
Men’s Pair (Ross Corrigan & Nathan Timoney)
In a nail-biting photo finish, Ross Corrigan and Nathan Timoney clinched 3rd place in their heat, ensuring their progression to the Semi Final on Wednesday, beginning at 9:34 am GMT.
Afterwards Corrigan said: “Definitely there was a wee bit of a moment where we were waiting to see had we done it, I was fairly confident we had beat the Swiss anyway, and then you just never know what the surge is going to be like when it’s so close.”
A roar went up from the green contingent in the crowd as the Irish pair were announced as the third-place finishers, beating Switzerland; the World silver medallists, to the line by just .02 of a second. Timoney and Corrigan are up again on Tuesday in the semi-finals.
Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls (Mags Cremen & Aoife Casey)
Mags Cremen and Aoife Casey fought hard to secure 3rd place in their heat. They will compete in the Repêchage tomorrow, Monday, at 10:00 am GMT, aiming for a spot in the Semi Final.
Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls (Fintan McCarthy & Paul O’Donovan)
Fintan McCarthy and Paul O’Donovan were dominant in their heat, finishing as clear winners and comfortably securing their place in the Semi-Final on Wednesday, starting at 10:14 am GMT.
Speaking afterwards O’Donovan said: “There’s very nice conditions out there, very impressed with the facilities they have here in Paris; they’re putting on a good show, and all the Irish have come out to take the opportunity and it’s been incredible to hear that in the crowd, some great support from everyone.”
We’ve been really enjoying it out there and hopefully there’s more to come from us… all that matters is this week and the next few days. We’ve been preparing really hard out in Spain and back in Cork, we’re working on the fitness quite a bit.”
McCarthy added: “We feel way fitter, we’ve been training really really hard, if anything we’re probably a bit tired so we’ll get a bit of energy back in….and hopefully have a good peak for the semis and the finals then.”
Women’s Four (Emily Hegarty, Eimear Lambe, Natalie Long, Imogen Magner)
The Women’s Four team of Emily Hegarty, Eimear Lambe, Natalie Long, and Imogen Magner put in a solid performance, securing 3rd place in their heat. They will compete in the Repêchage on Tuesday at 10:30 am GMT, seeking to advance further in the competition.
