UCD Ad Astra athletes David O'Malley and Shane Mulvaney won the Lightweight Mens Pair while Andrew Goff stroked the Lightweight Mens Quad that finished 2nd at the 2018 World Rowing U23 Championships in Poznan, Poland.
The pair won their heat to qualify directly for the A final, where the Italians took the early lead with Greece 2nd and Germany 3rd at 500m. Ireland were in 4th at this stage but they held their nerve, passing the Germans and were inches behind Greece at 1000m although Italy had extended their lead to just over length.
Over the next quarter Ireland and Greece continued their battle which brought them closer to Italy, with Ireland now edging 2nd place, rating 36 to Italy’s 40 and Greece’s 39 and looking very strong. All three raised their rate over the last 500m with Ireland and Greece charging past Italy but it was Ireland who reached the line first, one length ahead of Greece with Italy in 3rd.
Less than half an hour later it was the turn of the Lightweight Mens Quad, stroked by Andrew Goff with Ryan Ballantine (Newcastle), Niall Beggan (Commercial) and Miles Taylor (Queens). They had come through the repechage having finished 3rd in their heat but raced very confidently here, in the medal positions at each checkpoint down the course with the Italians leading the way and Ireland swapping 2nd and 3rd positions with the USA. In 3rd with 500m to go they mounted their final push, passing the Americans to take Silver.
Well done to all athletes, coaches and organisers, full results are at World Rowing.
Rowing: David O’Malley basks in golden glow of Poland success
“It’s some feeling,” said David O’Malley, as he reflected on the gold-medal win for the Ireland lightweight pair at the World Under-23 Championships. He had teamed up with Shane Mulvaney for the second consecutive year, and this time the UCD men had only one thing on their minds.
Gold and Silver For Ireland Under-23 Crews on Special Day
Rowing: Ireland took gold and silver at the World Under-23 Rowing Championships in Poznan, Poland, today. The Ireland lightweight pair of David O’Malley and Shane Mulvaney showed tremendous self-belief to take the gold. Italy seemed set to dominate their final, but Ireland and Greece moved on them before the 1500 metre mark.
Medals flow as UCD athletes affirm their status as best in class
Superb runs at the World U23 Rowing Championships by rowers from University College Dublin have brought home team gold and silver. Talented oarsmen Shane Mulvaney and David O’Malley made a big splash in Poznan, Poland, winning gold in the men’s 2000m lightweight pair.
