The Irish duo of Fintan McCarthy and Philip Doyle have claimed bronze in the men's double sculls at the World Rowing Championships in Shanghai.
Double Olympic gold medallist McCarthy and Doyle, a bronze medallist from Paris alongside Daire Lynch, came home in third spot in this morning's A-final behind winners Poland and silver medallists Serbia.
McCarthy and Doyle had been in the silver medal spot through 1500m, though faded somewhat to fall behind the Serbians down the stretch. However, the duo had enough gas to hold on to bronze, ahead of Spain and Switzerland.
Olympic champions Romania, the overall fastest crew in the semi-finals, slumped to a sixth place finish.
It's a first medal at heavyweight level for two-time Olympic lightweight champion, McCarthy, in his first championships to partner Doyle.
"That's our fourth race together," said Doyle afterwards. "Every race we go, we're learning. Very diffeent styles, so we're trying to mesh that in. It's some step up against the big boys."
"To achieve what we've achieved this year. To move up," added McCarthy. "It hasn't been the perfect year in terms of training and stuff, so to be in the medals at any event is such an honour."
Before that, Olympic bronze medallist Fiona Murtagh booked her spot in Sunday's A final of the Women's single sculls after a commanding performance in today's semi-final.
The Galway woman, who won bronze in the women's four in Tokyo, powered to victory in Friday's second semi-final, clocking a time of 7.29 to beat Lithuania into second place.
On a successful day for the Irish team, the women's double sculls pair of Mags Cremen and Zoe Hyde took first place in the B final, coming home ahead of USA and Uzbekistan in second and third respectively.
Ireland's Women's Four quarter of Imogen Magner, Aisling Hayes, Emma Waters and Natalie Long came in third in the B final, behind winners Australia and Canada in second spot.
Earlier, Konan Pazzaia placed second in the C final of the men's single sculls, finishing a few seconds behind winners Italy.
