Ireland's Aifric Keogh and Aileen Crowley have finished second in the B final of the women's pair at the World Rowing Championships.

A strong performance in Florida means the Irish duo are now ranked eight in the world.

Keogh and Crowley settled into a battle with the Italian team, setting a swift early pace.

They soon pulled away from the rest, and Ireland led with a quarter of the race remaining.

However Italy stepped on the gas, reeling in their rivals before pulling clear to victory.

Keogh and Crowley did rally at the death but they had to settle for second, a highly creditable performance .

Live coverage of the World Rowing Championships will be broadcast on RTÉ2 on Saturday and Sunday. Coverage Saturday at 4.30 and Sunday at 3.30 with a highlights package at 8.0pm on Sunday