On the first of two days of finals at the World Rowing Championships in Japan, Offaly's Niamh NiCheilleachair started proceedings for the Irish, placing fifth in the B final of the Lightweight Women's Single Sculls (LW1x), leaving her eleventh overall in the World this year.
The Irish Men's Heavyweight four (M4-) of Cormac Folan, Sean Jacob, Sean Casey and Alan Martin followed up with fourth in their B final, leaving them tenth overall, the equivalent of an Olympic qualifying spot.
In this boat category a top ten finish at the World
Championships in 2007 will secure Olympic qualification and the Irish are within that bracket now, after only five months together, thanks to their efforts at these Championships.
Speaking after today's racing, Irish team manager Mick O'Callaghan said: "These crews have had a good regatta here, it's their first World Championships, they have gained a lot, particularly for the heavy four to have got themselves in an Olympic qualifying position."
He added: "That was our aim coming here, to get our three Olympic class boats in Olympic qualifying positions, I really am very pleased we've achieved that, Looking down the line we just have to build on the good work done so far to ensure we stay within the standard now."
In the heavyweight's final, Germany tried to blow away the field
setting a blistering early pace, with the Irish staying in touch at
fifth. It was at the 1000m mark that the German challenge collapsed, the crew having expended all their energy, and the Italians took it up.
At the 1500m the Irish still lay fifth but were steadily building
pace and rowed through Poland to take fourth. At the line there was a little over a second between the Czech Republic in second, Australia in third and the Irish four behind them with Italy winners in 6.08.55.
From a position of not having an Irish heavyweight crew six months ago to finishing tenth overall in the World is a hugely significant step on the journey towards Beijing for Irish rowing.
In the lightweight women's event the Greek sculler led from the start and was never headed with UL graduate Niamh Ni Cheilleachair recording a fifth place finish behind Switzerland, Croatia, and USA in second, third and fourth respectively.
In her first senior World Championships eleventh overall for NiCheilleachair is a notable achievement and will act as a valuable learning experience as she furthers her career in the sport.
