Paul O'Donovan (UCC) and Fintan McCarthy (Skibberreen RC) looked in ominous form as they progressed to the final of the lightweight men's double sculls at the European Rowing Championships in Varese, Italy.
The Irish crew were all smiles as they crossed the line ahead of the Italian and Czech crews, who appeared more impacted by the race ahead of tomorrow's final.
O'Donovan and McCarthy came home in 6:22.74, almost three seconds faster than the Italians in second.
The German crew looked impressive in the other semi final, winning ahead of the Ukrainian boat in a time of 6:24.51.
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Aoife Casey and Margaret Cremen (both UCC) also qualified for the final of the lightweight women's double sculls, coming home second in their semi-final, three seconds behind the Italian boat.
They looked under pressure at the halfway point, but Casey and Cremen really upped the ante in the closing stages to move away from Russia in third and Denmark in fourth.
There was disappointment for Ronan Byrne (UCC) and Phil Doyle (Belfast BC) in the men's double sculls semi-finals as they failed to progress to the A final.
The world silver medallists were sixth - a full 11 seconds behind a very impressive French pair.
Superb semi-final performance from Aoife Casey and Margaret Cremen in their lightweight double sculls A/B semi-final, qualifying for the final with ease #varese21 pic.twitter.com/Hn8FyCFIBy
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) April 10, 2021
In total there will be six Irish boats in finals on Sunday morning (LIVE ON RTÉ PLAYER).
As well as today's semi-final winners, the women's four of Emily Hegarty (UCC), Eimear Lamble (Old Collegians BC), Aifric Keogh (UCC) and Fiona Murtagh (NUIG) qualified Friday, as did women's pair Monika Dukarska (Killorglin RC) and Aileen Crowley (Old Collegians BC).
Rio 2016 silver medallist Gary O'Donovan (Skibberreen RC) booked his place in the lightweight men's single sculls decider Friday as well, with Lydia Heaphy of UCC Rowing Club in the lightweight women's single scull final.
