Paul O’Donovan misses out on bronze at World Under-23 Rowing Championships

Sprint finish not enough to land medal

This time the characteristic sprint finish was not enough. Paul O'Donovan just missed out on matching his bronze medal from last year at the World Under-23 Rowing Championships in Varese in Italy yesterday, finishing fourth in the final of the lightweight single sculls.

Italy’s Francesco Pegoraro in lane six sprung a surprise to hold on to third against the late challenge from O’Donovan. Defending champion Andrew Campbell Jr of the United States was simply of a different class in taking gold and Enes Kusku of Turkey took a deserved silver.

“I threw everything into. I just wasn’t fast enough, so I can’t complain,” O’Donovan said. He had come from third to finish a close-up second to Kusku in his semi-final on Saturday. At 20, the UCD man has two more years left at this level; Campbell, at 22, was exiting the grade.

The lightweight double scull of Shane O’Driscoll and Gary O’Donovan (Paul’s elder brother) finished 10th. In a hotly-contested B final, the Ireland crew stayed in touch as Ukraine and Greece fought out a battle at the head of the field. New Zealand edged Ireland into fourth coming up to the line. The Ireland men’s four had finished sixth in their B final, 12th overall.

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Liam Gorman

Liam Gorman

Liam Gorman is a contributor to The Irish Times specialising in rowing