Putting in arguably the best Irish performance of the Olympics' opening day, the men's heavyweight coxless four qualified superbly for their semi-final at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park.
The crew of bowman Cormac Folan, Sean Casey, Jonno Devlin and Sean O'Neill the stroke seat rowed a tactically sound heat, as they took third spot behind Germany and race winners Australia to make it through to Wednesday's semi-finals.
They finished strongly in a time of 6 minutes, 02.85 seconds, leaving the fast-fading French to go through to the repechage.
Ireland clocked the seventh fastest time of the nine boats that qualified directly to the heavyweight fours semi-finals.
Interestingly, this is the first Irish heavyweight boat to compete at an Olympics since Pat McDonagh and Frank Moore did so in Seoul in 1988.
Their achievement is all the greater because this evening's heat marked the first time the quartet were rowing competitively together, as there have been some personnel changes since they gained Olympic qualification.
Lining up in lane four, the Irish paced themselves well from the start. Race favourites Australia predictably set the early pace, going through 500 metres in 1 minute, 25.62 seconds.
France put in a quick first 500 to settle in second position and with stroke O'Neill dictating a steady rate, the Irish were just behind Germany in fourth.
Coaches Harald Jahrling and John Holland watched on intently as the Irish moved into third place by the midway point of the 2000 metres race.
Their second 500 split was 1:31.77 and they showed their stamina by proving to be the fastest crew over the third 500 - they covered the distance in 1:33.00.
The Germans had obviously saved a lot for a big, final push and their final 500 split was an impressive 1:27.30, moving them comfortably into second place by the finish.
France faltered badly, going from second to fourth, leaving the Irish, who maintained their form well, to take that precious third spot, 2.45 seconds behind Australia.
The Irish foursome, all first-time Olympians, will hope for a decent draw for Wednesday evening's semi-finals, which will take place at 4.50pm and 5pm Beijing time/9.50am and 10am Irish time.
The efforts of Folan and company will also give great encouragement to the Irish lightweight four ahead of their heat tomorrow (4.20pm local time/9.20am Irish time).
