Cork brothers Gary and Paul O'Donovan made it a day of double success for Ireland on the Olympic water by cruising into the final of the men's lightweight double sculls.

The Skibbereen siblings, who won their heat on Monday, were third across the line in their semi-final behind the heavily favoured French and the United States in a time of 6:35.70.

The early stages saw the top three and the British challengers draw away from Germany and China, with Britain edging the Irish into fourth at the 500m checkpoint.

But the O'Donovans, known for their rapid finish, drew past Britain at the halfway mark and set about contesting second with the Americans, eventually coming home just half a second behind.

They join women's scullers Claire Lambe and Sinead Lynch, who earlier finished third in their semi-final to also reach tomorrow's finals, which are set to take place at 2:32 and 2:44pm.