#Rowing: Paul O’Donovan took on some of the top heavyweight rowers in the world and took a bronze medal at the New Zealand Rowing Championships today.

 The Skibbereen man, who is the world lightweight single sculls champion, finished third in an open weight race won by Robbie Manson, who has set the world’s fastest time. Mahe Drysdale, the Olympic champion, was fifth.

 Earlier the Skibberen four of Gary O’Donovan, Paul O’Donovan, Mark O’Donovan and Shane O’Driscoll finished third in the Premier four.

 Max Murphy of UCD won a gold as part of a Waikato senior four, while Kevin Neville of NUIG took silver in a senior quadruple.

New Zealand Rowing Championships, Lake Karapiro, Day Five (Irish interest)

Men

Four – Premier

A Final: 1 North Shore One 5:55.33, 2 West End One 5:57.50, 3 Skibbereen (G O’Donovan, P O’Donovan, M O’Donovan, S O’Driscoll) 5:58.82.

Senior

Final: 1 Waikato (3 M Murphy) 6:32.67.  

Sculling, Quadruple – Senior

A Final: 2 Nelson (3 K Neville) 6:31.86

Single – Premier

A Final: 1 Central RPC (R Manson) 7:19.48, 2 Southern RPC (J Storey) 7:22.89, 3 Skibbereen (P O’Donovan) 7:23.92.

Senior – B Final: 1 Wairau (K Neville) 7:23.73.