Fermanagh rower, Nathan Timoney, will be hoping to finish with a medal as part of the Irish Men’s Four at the U23 World Championships in Varese, Italy on Saturday.

Timoney and his teammates qualfied for the A Final after coming second in their Repechage heat, one second behind Italy in a time of 5.57.23.

The crew also finished second in their first heat on Tuesday behind Great Britain.

Speaking from Italy on Tuesday evening, Timoney spoke of his relief at competing in the championships after two years out with a back injury.

“It was a sense of relief for me. Looking back in September after being out of the sport for two years with an injury, I think the first step was the assurance of being able to row again and a gradual return and avoid the devastation of another injury.

“Two months in I remember realising I can do this again.

“So nine months on getting officially selected was a relief but is still part of the process and at that point, we all knew we had to make the boat faster and competitive on the world stage.”

Good position

Looking back at the first heat, Timoney feels the Irish team are in a good position: “We had our first heat this morning, I would say we were in a comfortable position but it was a situation where no crew knew how fast they were in comparison to other crews.

“But now we have a good understanding of where we are at in terms of speed and we can move forward, planning for the next stage.”

To be out at his first World Championships makes all the work to come back from the back injury worthwhile and the gruelling sessions and hours put in paid off.

And he feels he and the other rowers, have shown that the work has made them competitive on the world stage, with a medal chance in sight.

“I think after today’s heat we are confident we are competitive.”

With this being his final year at U23s, Timoney hopes it is a happy ending but he also has his eyes set on the future, at a time when Irish Rowing has never been stronger.

The recent medal hauls at the Olympics and U23 World Championships, Timoney hopes that success has paved a way for further success for him and his team “Being a part of Irish rowing could not come at a better time for lads such as myself, especially leading up to Paris 2024.

“The majority of us are a young group training alongside and following the footsteps of Olympians and world medallists who are also supporting and backing us all the way so the atmosphere is just class.”

The U23 Men’s Fours final takes place on Saturday, July 30 at 3.47pm.