#Rowing: Ireland’s coxed four had the perfect start to their challenge at the European Junior Championships in Essen in Germany. The crew of Matt Gallagher, James O’Donovan, Jack Dorney, John Kearney and cox Leah O’Regan won their heat to secure direct qualification for the A Final. In good conditions, Germany and Ireland got out in front and held on to the two direct qualification places to the finish line. Ireland, in lane five, extended a marginal lead at halfway to just over a length at the end.
European Junior Championships, Essen, Germany, Day One (Irish interest)
Men
Junior Four, coxed (First two directly to A Final; rest to Repechage): 1 Ireland (M Gallagher, J O’Donovan, J Dorney, J Kearney; cox: S O’Regan) 6:31.68, 2 Germany 6:35.47; 3 Ukraine 6:37.33.