Another capable performance from Ireland's lightweight crew in the quadruple sculls saw them qualify from their Repechage on the fourth day of the World Rowing championships in Cologne for Sunday's final.

The quartet of Gearoid Towey, Owen and Neal Byrne and Niall O'Toole at stroke won with clear water between themselves and the Mexicans in second place.

With a wind that later forced organisers to postpone part of the programme the Irish clocked six minutes 30.2 seconds to win by over two seconds.

A metre down on the Greeks the Irish squad then surged ahead. "We wanted to be in a qualifying position out there so we could concentrate on the rowing," said Niall O'Toole who feels with the rest of the squad that their technique still requires honing.

A Mexican push around the 1,250 metre mark saw them overtake the Greeks for the second qualifying slot. But at no time did they present a threat to Irish victory.

"That's the Mexican team who beat us into fourth in Lucerne, pointed out O'Toole. And he added: "We haven't done our best yet".

But a fast finishing sprint from John Armstrong and Eugene Coakley in the doubles failed to take them into the semi-finals.

Left behind at the start as the Czechs and Swedes fought for control the Irish were over a length down with 250 metres to go.

Sweden won in 7 minutes 11.51 seconds with the Czechs second while Ireland just half a length down were third in 7 mins 12.55 seconds.

But in the women's light quads the Irish crew failed to win through to Sunday's A final.