ROWING Lightweight four win silver at Munich World Cup

IRISH LIGHT FOUR WIN SILVER IN MUNICH

ROWING WORLD CUP 1, FINAL DAY – IRISH UPDATE

The Irish men's lightweight four (LM4-) of Atlantic challenger Gearoid Towey, Skibbereen's Eugene Coakley, Coleraine native Richard Archibald and Muckross club man Paul Griffin have won the silver medal in the final of the first leg of the Rowing World Cup in Munich today (12.36pm Irish time).

Great Britain led the field over the first 1000metres, setting a tough pace but as they ran out of steam the second half turned into a struggle for supremacy between the Irish quartet and the eventual winners; Germany. At the 1250metre mark the Chinese tried to join the battle but were unable to keep pace with the leading two.

With 500metres to go Ireland and Germany were neck and neck, Irish stroke Paul Griffin again called for more from his team mates who responded with characteristic tenacity but every time the Irish upped their stroke so too did the Germans, who just held out for the victory. The German crew took gold in a time of 6.06.88mins with the Irish only half a second down (6.07.35min), two seconds clear of bronze medalists Australia in 6.09.31min. The medal signals a great start to the season for this Irish four as they work towards the World Championships in August.

 “The British crew got away fast and tried to burn everyone off but they blew up just after halfway and we concentrated on trying to get the better of the German crew over the second 1000 metres”, remarked Irish crew captain Eugene Coakley after the medal ceremony.

“We had a tough race yesterday having to go all the way to the line with the Italians and I suppose we felt that a bit today in our performance. We’re pleased with our racing over this first regatta though, with a change in the boat it’s nice to see a return on the hard work with a medal from our first race. The worlds are only twelve weeks away and everything is about working towards them; it’s all about staying in the top three for us” he concluded.

Earlier this morning the Irish heavy four (M4-) of Cormac Folan, Sean Jacob, Con Collis and Alan Martin finished a close 3rd in their 'B' final behind winners Italy, and runners up the Czech Republic, which leaves them 9th overall in Munich. The result is right on track for the Irish foursome; one place higher than tenth at last year's World Championships, particularly with a change in the boat.

“Overall I’m pleased with how this regatta has gone for us. It’s the first World Cup and it’s been a positive start for the squad”, remarked Irish team manager Mick O’Callaghan.

“We’ve a lot of new boat combinations and they’re starting to gel well together. If you were to compare us with where we were at this stage last year I would say we’re a little ahead and I’m happy enough with that, it’s right on target for us”, he concluded.

Ends.

Pictures available from www.gettyimages.com
Photographer: Sandra Behne

Issued on behalf of the Irish Amateur Rowing Union by the Irish Sports Council

For Further Information
Sinéad McElroy, Irish Sports Council. 01-8608804 or 087-6338512
smcelroy@irishsportscouncil.ie

Additional Information
For detailed results visit www.worldrowing.com
Key Dates
Rowing World Cup 2:   Poznan, Poland 15th – 17th June
Rowing World Cup 3:   Lucerne, Switzerland 7th – 9th July
World Rowing Championships: Eton, Great Britain 20th – 27th August