ROWING: Irish Heavyweight Four Eleventh at Rowing World Cup

04 Aug 2008


In the 'B' final of the men's heavyweight four (M4-) at the final leg of the Rowing World Cup in Poznan, Poland this morning the Irish quartet of James Wall, Alan Martin, Cormac Folan, and Sean O'Neill finished fifth; an overall placing of eleventh at this, the last regatta before the Olympic Games. The race was won by Italy, last year's world silver medalists with Belarus, Argentina, and the second string Great Britain crew in second, third and fourth respectively, ahead of the Irish.


In more favourable racing conditions on the Malta lake this morning, with only a minor haeadwind and calm water the Irish foursome had a bad start that left them with ground to make up. The did make up some of that ground recording the fastest second 500metres of all six boats to move into fifth ahead of Egypt. The Irish crew had a better second thousand challenging the number two British four for fourth. A strong finish from the Irish on the grandstand side wasn't enough to take fourth and they finished .29 of a second down on the British, and just over six seconds down on winners Italy.


Afterward's Ireland's Cormac Folan admitted they would have like to do better, but spoke of their focus now for the coming weeks leading into their first Olympic Games. "We're a little disappointed with our row this morning; obviously we would have liked to finish higher but we just have to look forward now to Beijing, and try and make sure we have the fastest crew going there, and just get the boat going as well as possible for the Games."


He continued: "The main thing is we're just going to take what we've learnt from the World Cup season, and just look forward now as the next five weeks are everything. We're going to put the heads down, get the boat together, and get it going well. I think if we do that we're capable of getting the result of last year, and maybe better." The Irish quartet finished tenth in the world last year.


After a few days break for all concerned, Jonno Devlin and Sean Casey who raced the qualifier in a heavyweight pair earlier in the week will rejoin the four. This heavyweight group of six will move to a training camp in St.Moritz, Switzerland at altitude for almost a month, where selection for this boat for the Games will be finalised.


The Irish men's lightweight four (LM4-) who secured their Beijing place at the Olympic qualifier earlier this week will also take a few days break before moving to a training camp in Italy for the next few weeks, where their crew will also be finalised. The 2008 Olympic regatta will be held at Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park on the side of the Chaobi river from August 9-17th.
Ends.

 

For Further Information:
Sinéad McElroy, Irish team press officer
smcelroy@irishsportscouncil.ie or 087-6338512

 

Rowing World Cup 3, Poznan, Poland
Overall Irish results

Olympic Boats

Men's Heavyweight Four (M4-)
5th in B final, 11th overall

  • James Wall (NUIG)
  • Alan Martin (NUIG)
  • Cormac Folan (NUIG)
  • Sean O'Neill (St.Michaels)

Non-Olympic Boats

Men's Lightweight Single Sculls (LM1x)

  • Liam Molloy (NUIG); 3rd in C final; 15th overall
  • Dave Mannion (NUIG); won C final; 13th overall

Women's Lightweight Single Sculls (LW1x)

  • Sinéad Jennings (St.Michaels); Silver in A final; 2nd overall
  • Orlagh Duddy (Belfast); 4th in A final; 4th overall
  • Niamh NiCheilleachair (Offaly); 5th in B final; 11th overall
  • Orla Hayes (Skibbereen); 3rd in C final; 15th overall