Great Britain led over the first 1000 metres but the second half turned into a struggle for supremacy between the Irish quartet and the eventual winners, Germany.

However, it was the German team who took gold in a time of 6 minutes 6.88 seconds with the Irish only half a second down, two seconds up on bronze medalists Australia.

The medal signals a great start to the season for this Irish four as they work towards a big performance at the World Championships in August.

Earlier yesterday the Irish heavy four of Cormac Folan, Sean Jacob, Con Collis and Alan Martin finished third in their B final behind winners Italy, and runners up the Czech Republic.

This finish leaves them ninth overall in Munich . . .

encouragingly, this is one place higher than at last year's World Championships.