Sanita Puspure secures single sculls semi-final place at Lucerne

Ireland's Sanita Puspure overcame early difficulties in her heat to qualify for today's semi-finals of the women's single sculls at the World Cup Regatta in Lucerne.

World champion Kim Crow dominated the race, while Puspure, who hit a buoy around 500 metres, had to see off the challenge of Italy’s Sara Magnaghi to nail down the only other direct qualification place.

The women’s pair of Lisa Dilleen and Lenora Kennedy had a disappointing heat and finished fifth in a race won by Olympic champions Heather Stanning and Helen Glover. Ireland team manager Morten Espersen said the Irish crew’s focus may have been too much on the British, costing them a better lane draw in today’s repechage.

At the Irish Championships in calm, overcast conditions in Cork, Gráinne Mhaol sent out the message that they still rule the waters. The four of Fionnán Tolan, Alan Martin, Cormac Folan and stroke James Wall were given a rattle by Old Collegians but moved away at 1250 metres to win this two-boat race.

The men’s junior eights final was a stirring battle. Portora’s sweet-striking crew stayed cool under severe pressure from St Joseph’s of Galway to win their first such title since 1980.

David O’Malley of St Michael’s won his duel with Conor Carmody of Shannon in the junior single sculls, while the junior women’s double of Dervla and Oisin Forde, representing Cork Boat Club saw off challenges from Belfast Boat Club and Commercial. NUIG/Cork Boat Club crew won the women’s four, while Shane O’Driscoll and Gary O’Donovan took the senior doubles.