Bright start for student rowers
Friday, 5 September 2008 19:46Orla Hayes, a University College Cork student, set the bar high on the opening day of the 10th World University Rowing Championships in Belgrade.
Finishing second in her lightweight single sculls heat by less than one tenth of a second Hayes just missed out on qualification for Sunday's final, and will now face the Saturday's repechage, having been fifteen seconds quicker than the third fastest competitor, including the winner of the other heat, expectations are high.
Ireland's other athlete at the championships, Liam Molloy (NUI Galway) also got his lightweight single sculls campaign off today, finishing fourth in his heat, he too faces a repechage tomorrow if he is to progress to his final, which also takes place on Sunday.
Ireland have a proven track record securing medals at this championship in the past, and Team Manager, Ciara Ni Cheilleachair, is confident about Ireland's chances of adding that achievement.
'Orla really showed over the middle of the race that she can compete at this level, having performed well recently at the World U-23's six weeks ago in Germany, she has maintained her form and looks really good to reach the final and challenge for medals' said Ni Cheilleachair.
'Liam was due to race in the Double Sculls but his partner, David Mannion, was forced to withdraw through injury very late, having moved to the Single Scull at short notice, Liam is in with a shout of qualifying for Sunday's final, although the repechage will tell a tale tomorrow'
