Third for Paul O'Donovan in heavyweight single sculls debut

World champion Paul O'Donovan finished third in his first time competing in the heavyweight single sculls at the European Championships in Szeged, Hungary.

With lightweight doubles partner Fintan McCarthy recovering from illness, the Skibbereen rower made a solid start in his debut in the event.

He was comfortably with the pack in the first half of the race before crossing the line in third.

O’Donovan will race in tomorrow’s repechage, where a place for two crews in the A/B semi-final is up for grabs.

Margaret Cremen finished second in the lightweight women's single preliminary race. It was also the UCC rower’s first appearance in the single scull at a World Rowing event, where an illness for Aoife Casey means she will not be in action in the lightweight women’s double.

Racing for lanes, Cremen had a strong start, leading the pack for the first 1000m. However, a push from the Individual Neutral Athletes sculler through the middle saw Cremen edged into second and safely through to Sunday’s final.

Jake McCarthy caught the eye this morning, clinching first place in his heat of the lightweight men's single.

The Skibbereen native left it to the final sprint to not only move into the top two direct qualifying spots but also into the leading position and through to Sunday’s decider.

The women's double of Alison Bergin and Zoe Hyde were the first to hit the water this morning in the first of the heats.

The pair made a strong push through the 1000m, passing the Swiss pair to claim a second-place finish in their heat.

They move onto the repechage tomorrow, where the top four crews will progress to the A final.