LIGHTWEIGHT pair Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy claimed this morning’s semi-final win was akin to defeating Goliath.
This duo were in one of three Irish boats to progress to a final, winning their Men’s lightweight Double Sculls semi-final, along with the Women’s Lightweight Double Sculls and Men’s Pair.
The reigning champions were ranked third after finishing there in the most recent World Cup regatta and O’Donovan said: “Oh, the little Davids again.
“That was a big, big upset, so it was.
“The Swiss are number two ranked, way above us, fastest time in the heat.
“We’re happy to be able to put out that performance.
“All year we’ve been throwing the kitchen sink at them and just couldn’t get ahead of them.
“They’ve had an answer to us every single time we’ve raced this year but not today.
“We’re hoping Friday we’ll be able to produce the goods again.”
Ross Corrigan of the Men’s Pair has declared they are going for gold on Friday.
Although the Fermanagh duo were not marked down as one of the country’s main medal hopes, Corrigan is aiming high.
Corrigan said: “We’re obviously buzzing and excited but the job’s not done.
“Two more days and we’re into that final. We’re going to give it all.
“We’re really going to go for that medal. Gold medal.
“So it’s all or nothing for us on Friday.”
Aoife Casey and Margaret Cremen are also through to the final of the women’s lightweight double sculls after coming third in their semi-final.
But the Women’s Pair of Aifric Keogh and Fiona Murtagh surprisingly came last in their semi-final.
Even so, it means there are a record four Irish boats in A finals with the Men’s Double Sculls of Philip Doyle and Daire Lynch first out on Thursday morning with the other three on Friday.