The heats of the World Cup rowing regatta at Hazewinkel in Belgium provided a chastening experience for Irish crews yesterday. Only one Irish crew made it directly to the semi-finals; the rest had to settle for repechage places, and a number finished last in their heats.

The coxless pair of Donal McGuinness and Emmet O'Brien finished third in their heat - but because of an eight-boat entry in the event they go through, like all the other seven, to the semi-finals. Single sculler Albert Maher also managed third place in his heat, less than five seconds behind experienced American Jamie Koven in second. Luka Spik of Slovenia won the heat, more than five seconds better again.

But finishing last in their five-boat heat was a very disappointing result for the newly-created lightweight double of Niall O'Toole and Gearoid Towey, and the picture was no better for the Irish women's crews, all of whom were last in their heats.