Paris 2024: All or nothing for Ross Corrigan and Nathan Timoney in gold pursuit

Thank God for the slightly cooler conditions today out at the rowing.

After heavy overnight rain, the clouds then did their best to keep the sun partially hidden. The battle, so far, has been won by the former.

The volunteers enquired as to our wellbeing, well those of us with a fairer complexion, almost apologising that the sun shone with such scorching effect.

"We don't normally get this hot in Paris," said one female volunteer, while her male colleague reassured us that it will get cooler over the next few days and the temperature will drop to 27 degrees! He kept a straight face while saying it!

Such reassurance came after the morning action concluded on the water, a session where three Irish boats qualified for A finals, bringing to four the number of Team Ireland boats chasing glory in the medal races.

Heady times indeed for a sport that has served us well since the O'Donovan brothers brought home silverware in Rio.

Amongst the finalists are Ross Corrigan and Nathan Timoney, who will compete in the men's pair final on Friday.

They hail from Enniskillen and secured their spot at the Paris Games after reaching the World Championship final, and then winning bronze, in Belgrade last September.

After Mona McSharry and Daniel Wiffen got Ireland on the medal board, ensuring a first piece of silverware for Sligo and Armagh respectively, could Fermanagh now be due a notable first?

"Well, we'll not be winning an All-Ireland medal anytime soon, so we have a better chance of getting that Olympic medal," said Nathan when I spoke to him shortly after the semi-final. But then Ross interjected: "Fermanagh for Sam!"

"The whole team was watching Wiffen last night and he really got us fired up for today. He was on the phone to us; he dialled us