It’s been a perfect start for the two Irish boats in rowing this afternoon.

Sinead Lynch and Claire Lambe booked their place in the semi-finals of the lightweight double sculls after the pair finished in second place behind South Africa to comfortably advance.

Brilliant! @ClaireLambe & Sinead Lynch qualify for #rowing semis, 2nd in Lightweight Sculls Heat 3 behind #RSA pic.twitter.com/9JW3VHR5qD

— Team Ireland (@olympiccouncil) August 8, 2016

And that was bettered by Cork brothers Paul and Gary O’Donovan, who won Heat 1 of the Men’s lightweight double sculls to book their spot in the semi-finals.

In sailing later this evening, both Finn Lynch and Annalise Murphy will begin their Olympics.

Murphy will start her bid to improve on her fourth place showing in London when she begins her quest in the Women’s Laser Radial Class

And Lynch starts his challenge in the Men’s Laser Class.