Success first day for team Ireland at the European Rowing Championships in Bulgaria

The Irish rowing team had a successful first day at the European Rowing Championships in Plovdiv in Bulgaria with all boats securing places in either A or B finals.
Fintan McCarthy and Konan Pazzaia finished second in their men's double sculls heat in a time of 6:09.69 to qualify for the A/B semi-final tomorrow. They held off a late challenge from the Norwegian crew in the final 200 metres.
The men's quadruple sculls crew featuring Olympians Philip Doyle and Ronan Byrne finished fourth in their heat but posted an impressive time of 5:51.28 to qualify for the semi-final and eliminating the home favourites Bulgaria.
Diare Lynch and Ross Corrigan are a newly formed men's pair who delievered a strong performance in a highly experienced and competitive heat and finished fourth in a time of 6:26.82 and secured a place in the A/B semi-final on Friday.
In her heavyweight debut Mags Cremen racing with Zoe Hyde in the women's double sculls secured their place in the A final after their second-place finish in their heat with a time of 6:51.82.
Fiona Murtagh finished first in her women's single sculls after an impressive performance. She finished with a clear half-length of open water to post a time of 7:21.15.
Izzy Clements finished second in the lightweight women's single sculls preliminary race in a time of 7:37.31 to secure lane four in the A final and marking her Irish debut at international level.
Jack McCarthy is into the A final in the men's lightweight single sculls after his second place finish clocking a time of 7:03.84.
The newly formed women's quadruple sculls crew of Alison Bergin, Aisling Hayes, Natalie Long and Claire Feerick made history as the first Irish women's quad to race at an international regatta. They faced the reigning Olympic and world champions in a challenging heat and they finished fifth qualifying in for the B final.
European Rowing Championships semi-final
Friday May 30
M2 semi-final: Daire Lynch and Ross Corrigan, 3.02am Irish time
M2x semi-final: Fintan McCarthy and Konan Pazzaia, 3.12am Irish time
M4x semi-final: Philip Doyle, Ronan Byrne, Adam Murphy and Andrew Sheehan, 3.24am Irish time
W1x semi-final: Fiona Murtagh, 3.39am Irish time
Saturday May 31
LW1x semi-final: Izzy Clements, 4.22am Irish time
LM1x semi-final: Jake McCarthy, 4.39am Irish time
W2x semi-final: Mags Cremen and Zoe Hyde, 4.55am Irish time
Sunday June 1
W4x semi-final: Alison Bergin, Aisling Hayes, Natalie Long & Claire Feerick, 2am Irish time

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