British too powerful for Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy at Henley Royal Regatta
But Britain had come directly to this Queen Mother semi-final from a win at the Lucerne World Cup. They looked sharp and alert.
They grabbed the lead and then kept the crew of O'Donovan, Daire Lynch, Konan Pazzaia and McCarthy under wraps, despite some strong pushes by the high-rating Irish.
The fact that former lightweights can overcome even the biggest of heavyweights was demonstrated spectacularly earlier in the day.
Olympic single sculls champion Oli Zeidler, a giant of a man, was beaten by ex-lightweight Fin Hamill in the Diamond Sculls.
In the Town, the premier event for women's fours, Emily Hegarty at stroke and Aoife Casey in bow topped and tailed the University of London crew. Their outstanding start was crucial on Friday as they pulled off a shock by beating Australia.
In Saturday's semi-final they faced the formidable Dutch four, Hollandia Roeiclub A. The women in orange got the better start and fashioned a one-length lead.
UL tried to claw back the advantage, but the Dutch 'snapped the elastic' and won by three and a quarter lengths.
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