Two more Irish boats advance to World Championship semis
The Irish women's lightweight double of Sinéad Jennings and Niamh NiCheilleachair became the second Irish crew to advance to the semi-finals of the Rowing World Championships in Eton this morning, by defeating the defending world champions Germany to win their repechage in a time of 7.17.26.
The Irish men's lightweight four of Towey, Coakley, Archibald and Griffin followed on the success of their female team mates by also qualifying for Friday's semi-finals by winning their repechage in a time of 6.12.91.
The South African four matched the Irishmen to the 500 metre mark but by the halfway point the Irish quartet had stretched clear by almost a length. With 250 metres to go the Irish were four seconds clear of the South Africans who were busy battling with the Austrian four for the second and final qualifying spot.
Ireland was almost a length and a half clear of the field over the line in an improved performance on Monday's heat, with the South Africans holding on for the second qualifying spot.
The four have drawn reigning world champions France, heat one winners Germany, Great Britain, the USA and Poland in Friday's semi-final.
In the repechage of the women's double the German crew got away fastest and led at the 500 metre mark. The Irish double steadily made ground on them and drew level with the world champions as they moved through the 1000 metre point, taking the lead 250 metres later.
The Irish twosome were composed and controlled in their racing as they stretched yet further away from the German double, winning by a length and a quarter in the end.
Jennings and NiCheilleachair now advance to face two of the medalists at last year's World Championships in their semi-final; America and Finland, as well as strong challengers in Sweden, Australia and Great Britain.
Earlier on the men's lightweight double (LM2x) of Tim Harnedy and Richard Coakley narrowly missed out on qualification for the semi-finals when they finished third in their repechage.
