Fantastic five Skibbereen rowers advance to 'A' finals of European Championships

WHAT an amazing morning it was for Skibbereen’s five elite international rowers at the European Rowing Championships in Brandenburg, Germany on Saturday.

Olympic Games-bound brothers Gary and Paul O’Donovan won their semi-final of the men’s lightweight double sculls after a terrific finish saw them edge out Germany for top spot and advance to the ‘A’ final. Gary and Paul won in 7:00.520, just ahead of the Germans with Poland back in third place.

Denise Walsh is also preparing for an ‘A’ final on Sunday after a fantastic win in the repechage of the women’s lightweight single sculls. The Skibbereen rower won in 8:39.410, just ahead of Great Britain in second and Switzerland in third.

There was also good news for Shane O'Driscoll and Mark O'Donovan in the lightweight men’s pair as they finished second in the repechage, just behind Denmark, and have also advanced to the ‘A’ final.

Congrats to all five Skibbereen rowers and best of luck in the European finals tomorrow!