Irish manager expects ‘good final’ from four
Irish Olympic rowing manager Richard Parr has insisted that the lightweight four, stroked by Kerryman Paul Griffin, will rise to the challenge of Sunday morning's final in Schinias.
He believes they "have the toughness and fitness" for a podium finish.
Canadian Parr, who took over as High Performance director of the IARU (Irish Amateur Rowing Union) on January 5th of last year, is plotting a Ireland's first Olympic rowing for the quartet, who finished third in this morning's second semi-final.
Richard Archibald, Eugene Coakley, Niall O'Toole and Griffin are now Ireland's best chance of Olympic success, and will begin their 7.10am final in lane six, outside the Netherlands, Italy, Denmark, Canada and Australia.
"We will "tweak and adjust" a few things to see if we can find the extra three of four seconds that would give them a medal finish," commented Parr, "I don't think that any of the crews can let the others get too far out in the final. We will have to be in it somewhere at the beginning. We don't have to lead it, but need to be in touch."
Tomorrow is a rest day and sees the four crew due for a light paddle of 8-12km. "You're aren't going to get fitter in these next two days," he added, "so it's just a matter of recovery and being fresh for Sunday. They'll do a couple of short, sharp pieces on Saturday morning, just to feel the speed and spark and that will be it."
Sam Lynch and Gearoid Towey meanwhile, are still coming to terms with their shock exit in the lightweight double sculls.
Edged out by Japan for a final spot, Parr revealed that they always rated their Asian opponents. "I think Sam and Gags are pleased with the way they rowed. It's just that the field and the Japanese were very good.
"They were in the final in Sydney and they beat Sam and Gags once last year, so we rated them highly. It wasn't a case of us missing any form either, it's just that the margins in this event are so close.
"I don't think we can say much on their future as a partnership at this point," stated Parr, a New Zealand chief at the 2000 Games.
"There is a depth of talent in the lightweight men's programme in Ireland. I admit that we would have wanted a bit more from today, but if we look at this as the mid-point from Sydney to Beijing, then we are pretty healthy really."
