McCarthy duo look to follow O’Donovan brothers’ lead

IRELAND’S rowers had a mixed start yesterday at the U-23 World Championships in Bulgaria, where the lightweight pair missed direct qualification for the final but the quad scull qualified for the next round.

The UCD pairing of David O’Malley and Shane Mulvaney looked exceptionally strong in the opening stages and were only 0.07 of a second off the Italian leaders after 500 metres.

The Turkish pair of Mert Kaan Kartal and Fatih Unsal were an ever-present danger as O’Malley and Mulvaney continued to pressurise Italy for the lead.

With only one crew qualifying directly for Sunday’s final, Italy extended their lead as the second half unfolded and crossed the line almost six seconds clear of Ireland, who join third-placed Turkey in today’s repechages.

FADED

It was a different story in the lightweight quads where Ireland got their bows in front and never let go. Niall Beggan of Commercial, Stephen O’Connor of UCC, with the UCD stern pair of Shane O’Connell and Andrew Goff were 0.4 of a second ahead of Denmark after 500 metres. But the Danish challenge faded rapidly in the second half as Great Britain moved through to challenge Ireland for the lead.

After 1,250m the race was all but over as Ireland, who are looking to improve on fifth place last year in Rotterdam, opened up clear water ahead of the rest of the field. Ireland crossed the line 2.75 seconds clear of Great Britain with Spain more than a second behind in third, and all three crews now progress to tomorrow’s semifinals.

Today will see the opening heats of the lightweight men’s double sculls, where the McCarthy twins from Skibbereen, Fintan and Jacob, will be looking to follow O’Donovan brothers in this boat class.