THE Irish lightweight coxless four begin their quest for an Olympic medal placing just before midnight on Sunday (Irish time) time with the first heats at the Regatta Centre in Penrith, writes Keith Duggan.

The Irish four of Neal Byrne, Neville Maxwell, Gearoid Towey and Anthony O'Connor are believed to be among Ireland's best medal hopes in these games.

Although the Irish are matched against considerable opposition in the Netherlands and Russia, they are expected to make the first three qualifying places fairly comfortably.

The Irish four have blended well since qualifying for the Games in Lucerne last April .

The first three teams qualify for the semi-finals, the last two home go to the repechage section. The heat takes place at 11.50 p.m. Irish time on Sunday night.