SIX of the Irish lightweight rowing squad that raced at the international regatta in Cologne at the weekend are to return home following yesterday's decision by director of coaching Thor Nilsen to keep on just two double sculls and Sunday's winning coxless four for the next race meeting in a fortnight's time.

The selection of a final double scull crew was postponed after Niall O'Toole and Gearoid Towey held off late Greek and German challenges to finish fourth in their final. Only a second separated them from Brendan Dolan and Emmet O'Brien in the heats and the World Championship combination which won the double's Olympic qualification will stay with the reduced squad.

A final decision on who will take the seats in Atlanta is to be made after Duisberg, where they will be racing in different combinations.

Neville Maxwell, Tony O'Connor Sam Lynch and Derek Holland secured their places after a one length win that was fast enough to have taken the heavyweight coxless fours. The bow pair of Lynch and Holland were drafted into the boat on Sunday with the effect of widening the gap between the two Irish fours from three seconds to 14.

Sculler Mary Hussey has to wait until the Lucerne Regatta next month before she will know whether she will be entered by the Olympic Committee for the qualifiers. Hussey was unfortunate in drawing medalist scullers in her weekend heats, and Lucerne will be the first real opportunity for her to progress through to a final.

According to sweep coach John Holland, the four has yet to be finalised and further seat racing after Duisberg will decide who fills the two reserve places for the Olympic Qualifying Regatta in June.