29-05-2025
Irish crews impress on first day of European Rowing Championships
Irish crews enjoyed a successful first day of action at the European Rowing Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
The newly-formed men's pair of Daire Lynch and Ross Corrigan finished fourth in their heat to secure a place in the A/B semi-final, which takes place Friday morning (8.32am).
Fintan McCarthy and Konan Pazzaia will also be in A/B semi-final action on Friday after coming second in their men's double sculls heat. They held off a late challenge from the Norwegian crew in the final 200 metres, and will be on the water at 8.42am, just after Lynch and Corrigan.
The men's quadruple sculls crew (Philip Doyle, Ronan Byrne, Adam Murphy and Andrew Sheehan) were fourth in their heat to qualify for the semi-final, eliminating the home favourites Bulgaria. They compete again at 8.54am on Friday.
Fiona Murtagh won her women's single sculls heat by half a length. Her semi takes place on Friday at 9.09am.
Izzy Clements delivered a strong performance in the lightweight women's single sculls preliminary race, finishing second to seal lane 4 for the A final, which takes place at 9.52am on Saturday.
Jake McCarthy is into Saturday's lightweight men's single sculls A final (10.09am) thanks to a second-place finish in his heat.
In her heavyweight debut, Mags Cremen, racing alongside Zoe Hyde in the women's double sculls, earned a spot in the A final by crossing the line in second. They return Saturday morning at 10.52am.
The women's quadruple sculls crew of Alison Bergin, Aisling Hayes, Natalie Long and Claire Feerick made history as the first Irish women's quad to race at an international regatta. Facing the reigning Olympic and world champions in a challenging heat, the W4x finished fifth and qualified for the B final.
