Ireland's lightweight men's four rowing team trailed home in last place in this morning's final.
Richard Archibald, Eugene Coakley, Niall O'Toole and Paul Griffin were placed second after the first 500 metres but fell away to finish sixth, nearly nine seconds behind gold medal winners Denmark.
The Danes led from start to finish but were pursued by Australia and Italy, who edged out Holland for bronze in a photo finish.
Ireland had been just 0.87 seconds down at the first timecheck but recorded the slowest splits of all the crews in each of the next three segments of the race to slide out of contention.
There was disappointment for the Irish rowers at the Commercial Rowing Club in Dublin this morning.
Club captain Gerry Cantan said: "They competed very well and we're very proud of them."
Around 40 members arrived at the club's boathouse in Islandbridge on the banks of the River Liffey to watch the 7.10 a.m. race.
There were cheers as Paul Griffen, from Killarney, Niall O'Toole, from Dublin and the Commercial club, Eugene Coakley, from Skibbereen, and Richard Archibold, from Coleraine took to the water.
But the cheers soon turned to groans as the Irish crew struggled with the pace. However, after the race there was a load burst of applause for the team.
Junior rower John Quinn said: "It was still good because it wasn't just sixth in the Olympics, it was sixth in the world."
Veteran rower Jim Kenny said it had been a great achievement.
"Obviously it would have been nicer to be further up the field but we're very proud of them. They're young lads so they can go on further and they'll pave the way for others."
He added: "They're great role models for young people. You need people like that with crime on the increase."
Among those also watching the race were two of O'Toole's nephews, 16-year-old Kevin Clarke and 18-year-old Ben Clarke.
In equestrian, Kevin Babington, Marion Hughes, Jessica Kuerten and Cian O'Connor were all due to be in action today.