Paul O’Donovan finishes fifth in semi-final after capsizing at European championships
Paul O’Donovan capsized at the start but still finished fifth in his semi-final of the men’s heavyweight single sculls at the European Championships in Szeged in Hungary.
The start of the race had to be delayed as the Ireland sculler got his boat ready to race. He was wet through, but with his customary coolness, he managed to start well and contend in the race.
However, he could not pass enough of the bigger men to make the top three and force his way into the A Final. Denmark, Lithuania and the fast-finishing George Bourne of Britain took those places.
A strong cross headwind had led to the lane draw for the race being altered.
O’Donovan took Olympic gold in the lightweight double at Tokyo 2020 and would have raced in this boat in Hungary if not for the unavailability of his partner, Fintan McCarthy.
Ireland’s three other crews will race for medals on Sunday. Margaret Cremen competes in the lightweight single because her usual partner in the lightweight double, Aoife Casey, withdrew through illness. This is a straight final, as just six boats compete, and Cremen will be out to win gold.
Jake McCarthy made his way to the A Final of the men’s lightweight single by winning his heat, while the women’s double of Zoe Hyde and Alison Bergin qualified for their A Final through a repechage on Friday.
Get ahead of the day with the morning headlines at 7.30am and Fionnán Sheahan’s exclusive take on the day’s news every afternoon, with our free daily newsletter.