Published Friday, 03 August 2012
Alan Campbell after his successful semi-final race. (© Getty)
He finished second in his semi-final behind the Czech rower Ondrej Synek at Eton Dorney on Wednesday.
Queen's University Rowing Club member Rory O' Connor told UTV that Campbell could win a gold.
"It's going to be very difficult - he's definitely going to have his work cut out for him."
He added: "Alan needs to get out ahead and control the race and hopefully he can hold on."
Campbell previously made the Olympic final at Beijing four years ago, but failed to clinch a medal.
O'Connor added: "Rowing is one of those sports when I sometimes don't think people realise how hard, even at club level, you need to work to be competitive.
"It's a very, very grueling sport - early mornings, late nights. But, it's worth it in the end when you win races - whether it's for your country or your club."
Coleraine - and Northern Ireland - celebrated on Thursday when brothers Richard and Peter Chambers took silver in the men's light-weight fours final.
They missed out on gold by the narrowest of margins to South Africa.
Also on Friday, Wendy Houvenaghel starts her campaign in the cycling team pursuit and Chinese born Belfast trained Na Liu is taking part in the table tennis for Team GB.
Matt McGovern and Ryan Seaton representing Ireland continue in the sailing 49er competition.
Belfast man Iain Lewers is in action for Great Britain in the Men's Hockey later as they take on Pakistan.
Michael Conlan will fight for Ireland against Ghana's Duke Micah in the Men's flyweight Olympic Boxing on Friday night. If the 20-year-old Belfast man wins that means he'll need just one more victory to guarantee a medal.