#ROWING: Skibbereen man Richard Coakley took a silver medal at the World Cup Regatta in Sydney Australia. The 30-year-old, competing for the first time in a regatta for Australia,  had to give way to the faster Wang Tiexin of China in the A Final of the lightweight single sculls. The two fought it out at the head of the race, but Wang had too much for Coakley and moved clear in the final 500 metres.

Coakley won a World Cup medal for Ireland in the lightweight eight in 2005. He rowed for Ireland at the Olympic Games in 2008, coming in as a reserve for Gearóid Towey in the lightweight four in the B Final in Beijing. He moved to Australia in 2010.

World Cup Regatta, Sydney, Australia (Irish interest)

Men

Lightweight Single Scull – A Final: 1 China (Tiexin Wang) 7:05.54, 2 Australia One (R Coakley) 7:13.54, 3 Australia Two (J Harrison) 7:20.87; 4 Vietnam 7:22.75, 5 Hong Kong Two 7:33.45, 6 Vanuatu 7:54.72.

#ROWING: Skibbereen man Richard Coakley, competing for Australia, qualified directly for the A Final of the lightweight single sculls at the World Cup in Sydney, Australia. Coakley won his heat easily, well ahead of challengers from Hong Kong and Vanuatu. The Irishman has lived in Australia since 2010. He was competing for his adopted country for the first time.  

World Cup Regatta, Sydney, Australia (Irish interest)

Men, Lightweight Single Sculls – Heat Two (Winner Directly to A Final): 1 Australia One (R Coakley) 7:19.94, 2 Hong Kong Two 7:37.10, 3 Vanuatu 7:52.34.