Irish crews seal three Olympic spots at World Championship in Belgrade

Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy eased into the men’s lightweight double 'A' final at the World Rowing Championship on Thursday and qualified their boat for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in the process.

The pair will be strongly fancied to medal again at the weekend having captured world gold in the event a year ago.

They had no major issues on Thursday, comfortably winning their semi-final ahead of the Norwegian and Czechia crews.

Ross Corrigan and Nathan Timoney also qualified an Irish boat for the Games after progressing to Saturday's men's pair 'A' final thanks to a second-placed finish in their semi.

It's a significant breakthrough for both men who are in line to make their debut appearances at an Olympics.

And in the women's pair Aifric Keogh and Fiona Murtagh came second to march into the 'A' final and also guarantee Olympic qualification in the category.

Keogh and Murtagh were part of the women's four who bronze at the Tokyo Games.

Watch the World Rowing Championship on Saturday and Sunday from 12pm on the RTE News Channel and RTE Player