A remarkable figure whose life was dedicated to journalism, education, public service and sport.

Micheal was a proud Oxbridge alumnus and Captain of Christ’s College Boat Club, Cambridge. He raced for Christ’s, and beat DUBC at Henley in 1958, before Trinity returned to win the Senior Pot. The history of the Senior 8s Championship of Ireland is detailed with great accuracy, as befits the archivist he also was, in his much beloved “The Big Pot”, some of which, as he would say himself, are still for sale!

His academic career at Cambridge contained one small blip when he realised during an exam that he knew nothing of the subject. His daughter, Becky continues the tale: “Typical of the man, he wasted no time, and spent the exam writing a letter to Pat.”

But, the later successful achievement of his undergraduate degree would be matched by his lifelong commitment to creating a fairer, more inclusive society, none more so than in the sport he loved so much.

He served both as Secretary and President of the Irish Amateur Rowing Union (now Rowing Ireland). Having qualified as a FISA international umpire, he was selected to officiate at both the Munich Olympics (1972) and Barcelona Olympics in Banyoles, twenty years later in 1992.

He was the founder of The Dublin Sculling Ladder in 1965, and the 60th time trial, due to take place next Saturday 11th October, will now take on a more poignant atmosphere, but also one of celebration of this wonderful man

He ran a monthly draw for many years to fund international rowing, too, and was to be seen at rowing events all over Ireland and abroad, chasing up some unsuspecting supporter to draw from his bag of numbered balls.

He was the long-time President of DULBC (his granddaughter, Megan, a past captain) and a fierce advocate for women’s rowing from junior through senior to international level. He was delighted to hear of Fiona Murtagh’s world championship success at the end of last month.

He was a Steward of Henley Royal Regatta, and could be seen umpiring annually in the suitably Irish connected launch, “Ulysses”. Indeed, on his last appearance at the Regatta, he was the guest of friend and umpire, Richard Stanhope, to follow Skibbereen’s race from the launch. West Cork was very much in his blood, and he holidayed there very often in summer.

As one of the founders of ‘Educate Together’, he championed equality-based education in Ireland, shaping generations with a vision rooted in respect and diversity. Trinity College, Dublin awarded him an honorary PhD for his work in this area, something that delighted him, although it did result in him missing Henley for the conferring of the degree. His journalistic integrity also shone through during his time with RTÉ, where his insightful reporting earned widespread respect from readers and peers alike.

Son of the distinguished playwright Denis Johnston, and actress Shelah Richards, and brother of the renowned author and playwright, Jennifer Johnston, Micheal inherited a legacy of intellect and public engagement, which he carried forward with distinction and humility.

He will be remembered as a pioneer, a principled voice, and a kind soul.

We send our condolences and deepest sympathies to his family, and remember his wife, Pat , his children Brigid, Becky, Anna, Josh and the late Luke (KHBC & DUBC), and his many beloved grandchildren.

May he rest in peace.

Rowing Ireland is deeply grateful to John Aiken for his help and collaboration in preparing this tribute to Micheal.

Volunteering, whether at the club level or on committees and boards, can be immensely rewarding. While it often centers on helping others, it also offers volunteers the chance to acquire new skills, explore new activities, and experience the positive impact on their own well-being. Research shows that helping others can be deeply fulfilling.

Volunteer Ireland defines volunteering as “doing more than you have to, because you want to, and because you care.”

In rowing, we are fortunate to have many enthusiastic, experienced, and motivated volunteers. We seek your assistance in formally acknowledging those who go above and beyond to support our clubs and our sport.

In 2025, we will award the title of ‘Volunteer of the Month’ to one exceptional volunteer each month.

Eligibility:

• Nominees must be members of Rowing Ireland and a paid member of an affiliated club.
• Nominations must be submitted by a member of an affiliated Rowing Ireland club.
• Nominees must be active volunteers in the sport.

All entrants will receive a full refund, which will be processed shortly.

We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding.

SANDRA DAWSON

Sandra brings over 40 years of expertise in human resources and specialist recruitment across Australia, Ireland, Switzerland, and the UK, with experience in financial services, management consulting, and organisational development. Since returning to Ireland in 2018, she has run her own business, Searchlight Executive, focusing on hiring strategies and career transitions. As a newly appointed Senior Independent Board member of Rowing Ireland, she will be contributing to the organisation’s strategic direction. A former Irish international cricketer, Sandra is an avid sports fan, particularly of cricket and rugby union, and travels widely to attend matches.

MICHAEL MCGRATH

Michael is a senior executive and Chartered Accountant with extensive experience in finance, strategy, and business leadership. He is currently Finance Director at Barry Group, Ireland’s leading family-run wholesale distribution company, and is also a Director of Connected Storeroom Ltd. Michael has previously held senior financial roles across logistics, veterinary supply, and the automotive sector, bringing over 15 years of expertise, in driving commercial growth and operational performance. As Treasurer of the Rowing Ireland Board, he applies his financial and strategic insight to support the continued development of the sport nationwide.

ORLAGH NI CHORCORÁIN

Orlagh is currently CX & Insights Director with Volvo Car Ireland, where she sits on the senior leadership team. She brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the board, with over 18 years of developing and executing strategies for leading brands in the motor, sports, airline, retail and hospitality sectors, both in Ireland and international markets. She brings extensive experience in management of sponsorship portfolios from both a client and rightsholder perspective and has a proven track record in the achievement of brand and business growth objectives. Orlagh is a passionate sports enthusiast and previously held roles with both Leinster Rugby, as Marketing Manager and FAI as Head of Marketing. She is excited to share her experience and to play a key role in shaping the future strategic ambitions of Rowing Ireland.

 Rowing Ireland Chair Barry McWilliams said:

“I’m pleased to welcome Sandra, Michael, and Orlagh as independent directors to the Board. They bring extensive experience from both commercial enterprise and sporting organisations, including football, rugby, and cricket. Sandra’s global leadership in human resources will offer vital perspective as our new Senior Independent Director. Michael’s financial expertise and strategic acumen, developed across diverse industries, will enhance governance in his role as Treasurer. Orlagh’s success in brand strategy, sponsorship, and customer engagement across sport and business will be a strong asset. Together with their new Board colleagues, their dedication will help Rowing Ireland continue to grow, thrive, and serve our athletes, clubs, and wider community.”

A full list of Rowing Ireland Board can be found here:  https://www.rowingireland.ie/about-us/board/

Niall O’Carroll joins Rowing Ireland from his role as Chair of the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA), where he has played a central role in guiding the organisation in recent years. During his tenure, he oversaw important governance and cultural reforms that safeguarded boxing’s Olympic pathway and strengthened the sport’s structures. He also supported the organisation through a period of notable sporting success, with Irish boxers winning gold medals at the Paris Olympics and more recently at the World Championships, while putting in place a new senior leadership team. He leaves the association in a strong position for the future. 

Beyond governance, Niall brings a wealth of leadership and performance experience. A former member of An Garda Síochána for 18 years, he later specialised in sports psychology and leadership development, working with athletes and organisations across three continents. He has supported Olympic champions, international federations, and high-performance environments with a focus on sustainable success and strong team culture. 

This appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Rowing Ireland. The Shanghai World Championships saw Ireland record some of its most successful results to date, including: 

Fintan McCarthy & Mags Cremin secure a landmark first-ever World Championship medal in the Mixed Double Sculls. 

Fiona Murtagh delivers a stunning gold medal performance in the Women’s Single Sculls. 

A hard-fought Bronze in the Men’s Double Sculls for Philip Doyle and Fintan McCarthy, with double Olympian Fintan making a seamless transition from lightweight. 

Jake McCarthy claims Bronze in the Men’s Lightweight Single Sculls, joining his twin brother in Ireland’s expanding medal tally. 

These achievements highlight Rowing Ireland’s ability to diversify beyond traditional lightweight categories and deliver results across multiple disciplines, from Olympic boats to coastal and indoor rowing. 

The organisation is also investing in its future. Significant upgrades are underway at the National Rowing Centre (NRC), ensuring world-class training, recovery, and development environments for athletes. 

Niall O’Carroll will take responsibility for leading the performance programme. In this new structure, he will work together with the Head of Governance and Planning Matt McKerrow as part of a leadership team under CEO Michelle Carpenter. Lead coach Dominic Casey will maintain his pivotal role in guiding the coaching team. Together, they form a strengthened leadership group tasked with delivering Rowing Ireland’s strategy through to LA 2028 and beyond. 

Rowing Ireland Chair Barry McWilliams said:

“We are delighted to welcome Niall O’Carroll as our new Head of High Performance. His proven track record in leadership, governance, and high-performance sport will be a tremendous asset to Rowing Ireland. Building on the historic triumphs of Shanghai, we now prepare the road to Los Angeles 2028, energised by the belief that Niall’s vision and commitment to excellence will help guide our athletes and teams to even greater achievements.” 

Rowing Ireland CEO Michelle Carpenter said:

“Niall O’Carroll joins Rowing Ireland at a pivotal time for our sport. His experience in performance and cultural development will add real strength to our existing structures as we build towards Los Angeles 2028. With Dominic Casey and our coaching team continuing to drive excellence on the water, and our staff and volunteers underpinning that effort, I believe we are well placed to nurture the next generation of athletes and ensure lasting success for rowing.”

W1x | Fiona Murtagh 

Fiona Murtagh delivered a sensational performance to win gold in the Women’s Single Sculls. Leading from the early stages, she maintained a two-second advantage over the field for much of the race. In a dramatic finish, Great Britain’s Lauren Henry mounted a late challenge, but a photo finish confirmed Fiona as World Champion in a time of 07:12.27 — just 0.03 seconds ahead. 

Mix2x | Mags Cremen & Fintan McCarthy 

Fintan McCarthy and Mags Cremen added a second gold for Ireland in the Mixed Double Sculls. After winning their heat earlier in the day, the pair produced a powerful performance in the final. They seized the lead at the halfway mark and held off a strong challenge from the Netherlands to claim victory in 06:24.22. Mags and Fintan are the first ever World Champions in this event. 

Summary of the 2025 World Championship Results 

• W1x | Fiona Murtagh – Gold 

• Mix2x | Mags Cremen & Fintan McCarthy – Gold 

• LM1x | Jake McCarthy – Bronze 

• M2x | Fintan McCarthy & Philip Doyle – Bronze 

• M2- | Nathan Timoney & Ross Corrigan – 6th 

• LW1x | Siobhán McCrohan – 4^th 

• W2x | Mags Cremen & Zoe Hyde – 1^st (B Final) 

• PR2 Mix2x | Tiarnán O’Donnell & Sadhbh Ní Laoighre – 3^rd (B Final) 

• W4- | Natalie Long, Emma Water, Aisling Hayes & Imogen Magner – 3^rd (B Final) 

• M4x | Andrew Sheehan, Adam Murphy, Brian Colsh & Ronan Byrne – 1^st (C Final) 

• M1x | Konan Pazzaia – 2^nd (C Final) 

• W2- | Emily Hegarty & Aoife Casey – 1^st (C Final) 

Sunday Results Summary 

Media Guide 

Dominic Casey, Rowing Ireland High Performance Lead Coach, said: 

“The 2025 World Rowing Championships in Shanghai have been very rewarding for our athletes, coaches and support staff. Our team delivered strong performances showing real promise with lots of new crew combinations. Congratulations to all our team, our medalists, to all our crews who performed so well in A, B and C finals, our coaches, and all our support staff. It was an excellent team performance particularly as many of our athletes were balancing training alongside college and work commitments. 

We are determined to build on these results over the next three years as we prepare for the 2028 Olympics. We have a fantastic team overall. I would like to say thanks to Sport Ireland and the Sport Institute for their help and support throughout the year, it is a huge help to our team. Well done to all.”  

Rowing Ireland congratulates all our athletes on their outstanding performances throughout the Championships. From world titles to breakthrough results, every crew demonstrated resilience, teamwork, and dedication on the international stage. We also extend a special thanks to the High-Performance coaching team and support staff, whose expertise and commitment have been central to this success. 

We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to our sponsors for their continued support. Your commitment is vital in enabling our athletes to compete on the world stage.

There was also a strong showing from Siobhán McCrohan, who narrowly missed out on a podium finish in the Lightweight Women’s Single Sculls (LW1x), while Tiarnán O’Donnell and Sadhbh Ní Laoighre finished third in the PR2 Mixed Double B Final. 

LM1x | Jake McCarthy 

Jake McCarthy claimed the bronze medal in the Lightweight Men’s Single Sculls final. McCarthy produced a composed and consistent performance, maintaining third position throughout the race and finishing with a powerful sprint to close the gap to second place. He crossed the line with a time of 06:59.07, securing his first-ever Senior World Championship medal. 

LW1x | Siobhán McCrohan 

Siobhán McCrohan finished fourth in the A Final of the Lightweight Women’s Single Sculls. Siobhán was in fifth position behind Austria until the third quarter of the race but moved into fourth by the 1500m mark. She produced a determined finish but was unable to reach the medal positions, crossing the line in 07:37.25. 

PR2 Mix2x | Tiarnán O’Donnell & Sadhbh Ní Laoighre 

The PR2 Mixed Double of Tiarnán O’Donnell and Sadhbh Ní Laoighre finished third in the B Final. The crew maintained their position throughout the race and finished strongly but were unable to catch the Mexican boat ahead. They completed the race in 09:00.35. 

Rowing Ireland Crews Racing on Sunday, 28^th September 

Mix2x | Mags Cremen & Fintan McCarthy (Heat) – 3:05am IST (Lane 5) * 

Mix2x | Mags Cremen & Fintan McCarthy (B Final) – 6:35am IST 

W1x | Fiona Murtagh (A Final) – 7:17am IST (Lane 4) 

Mix2x | Mags Cremen & Fintan McCarthy (A Final) – 7:44am IST 

* The heats and A and B Finals of the Mix2x all take place tomorrow. The first and second-placed crews from each heat, along with the next two fastest overall, will progress to the A Final. Remaining crews will compete in the B Final. 

Saturday Results Summary 

Sunday Startlist Summary 

World Rowing Championships Programme 

World Championships Livestream 

Rowing Ireland Media Guide 

The A Finals tomorrow featuring Irish crews will be broadcast live on the RTE Player. 

Rowing Ireland congratulates Jake McCarthy on his World Championship bronze medal and commends all athletes who raced today. We wish our crews competing tomorrow the best of luck for the final day of racing. 

Rowing Ireland would like to extend a sincere thank you to our High-Performance coaching team and support staff. Results like these would not be possible without their continued dedication and expertise. 

We would also like to thank our sponsors for their ongoing support, which plays a vital role in helping our athletes perform at the highest level throughout the year. 

M2x | Fintan McCarthy & Philip Doyle 

The Men’s Double of Fintan McCarthy and Philip Doyle secured a brilliant bronze medal after a determined race. The duo sat in second place for most of the contest, pushing the pace from the early stages. Despite a powerful late surge from Serbia that moved them into second, the Irish crew held on strongly to claim third place with a finishing time of 06:15.13. 

W1x | Fiona Murtagh 

Fiona Murtagh delivered a commanding performance to win her semifinal and qualify for Sunday’s A Final. Leading from the start, Murtagh extended her advantage to three seconds by the 1500m mark and remained the fastest boat on the water in the closing stages. She crossed the line in 07:29.61. 

A Final: Sunday, 28^th September – 7:17am IST (Lane 4) 

M1x | Konan Pazzaia 

Konan Pazzaia finished second in the C Final of the Men’s Single. After a tightly packed start that saw him in fifth place at 500m, he steadily moved through the field, climbing to third at 1000m and into second by 1500m. He maintained that position to the line, finishing in 07:04.08.  

W2x | Mags Cremen & Zoe Hyde 

The Women’s Double of Mags Cremen and Zoe Hyde claimed victory in the B Final after a dramatic sprint finish. The pair held second for much of the race amid a close battle with Uzbekistan and the USA. In the final 250 metres, they unleashed a powerful push to move into first place and secure the win with a time of 07:00.20. 

W4- | Natalie Long, Emma Waters, Aisling Hayes & Imogen Magner 

The Women’s Four produced a strong performance to finish third in the B Final. Sitting in fourth place at the halfway point, they surged into third by 1500m and continued to close the gap on second-placed Canada with a spirited sprint to the line. They finished with a time of 06:48.01. 

Rowing Ireland Crews Racing on Saturday, 27^th September 

PR2 Mix 2x | Tiarnán O’Donnell & Sadhbh Ní Laoighre (B Final) – 6:05am IST (Lane 3) 

LW1x | Siobhán McCrohan (A Final) – 7:33am IST (Lane 4) 

LM1x | Jake McCarthy (A Final) – 7:50am IST (Lane 1) 

Friday Results Summary 

Saturday Startlist Summary 

World Rowing Championships Programme 

World Championships Livestream 

Rowing Ireland Media Guide 

Both A Finals featuring Irish crews will be broadcast live tomorrow on the RTE Player. 

“I am immensely proud of our athletes and the performances they have delivered throughout the week,” said Michelle Carpenter, CEO of Rowing Ireland. “Fintan and Philip’s determination to secure a bronze medal today at the World Championships reflects the strength, dedication, and resilience within Rowing Ireland. Across all boats, we are seeing remarkable talent and commitment, which gives us great optimism as we build towards the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. We will continue to support and invest in our athletes as the Championships progress this weekend and beyond. I also want to congratulate Dominic, our dedicated coaching team, and all the clubs whose support has contributed to this remarkable success.” 

“The performances we have seen throughout the week are a testament to the dedication of our High-Performance athletes, coaches, and support staff. I want to warmly congratulate Fintan and Philip on their outstanding bronze medal performance today at the World Championships, which reflects their incredible skill, determination, and resilience. The results so far this week reflect the hard work and commitment shown by all members of Rowing Ireland — from athletes and coaches to clubs and volunteers — who make these successes possible,” said Jane Williams, President of Rowing Ireland. 

Well done to all athletes who raced today, and congratulations to our bronze medallists, Fintan and Philip. We look forward to more A and B Finals tomorrow. 

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M2- | Nathan Timoney & Ross Corrigan 

The Men’s Pair of Ross Corrigan and Nathan Timoney finished sixth in their A Final, which featured a highly competitive field. The Irish crew got off to a solid start but found themselves in sixth place by the 500-metre mark. They remained in sixth throughout the race, crossing the line in a time of 07:00.73, securing a spot in the top six in the world. 

LW1x | Siobhan McCrohan 

Siobhan McCrohan won her semi-final in the Lightweight Women’s Single. It was a close race throughout with Siobhan in second place for most of the race behind the favourite from Mexico. A powerful sprint finish saw her overtake Mexico in the closing stages and qualify for Saturday’s A Final with a time of 08:06.23. 

A Final: 27^th September – 7:33am IST (Lane 4) 

LM1x | Jake McCarthy 

Jake McCarthy produced an excellent sprint finish to claim third place in the Lightweight Men’s Single semi-final and secure a spot in the A Final. Sitting in fourth throughout much of the race, Jake closed the gap on the leaders after the 1000-metre mark. A determined final push saw him cross the line in third with a time of 07:33.01, just 0.28 seconds ahead of Uzbekistan in fourth, 

A Final: 27^th September – 7:50am IST (Lane 1) 

M2x | Fintan McCarthy & Philip Doyle 

The Men’s Double of Fintan McCarthy and Philip Doyle delivered a composed and controlled performance to finish second in their semi-final and book a place in Friday’s A Final. The crew settled into a strong rhythm early on, staying close to the pace set by Romania and comfortably holding second place throughout the race. They crossed the line in a time of 06:33.10.  

A Final: 26^th September – 7:51am IST (Lane 5) 

Rowing Ireland Crews Racing on Friday, 26^th September 

M1x | Konan Pazzaia (C Final) – 5:17am IST (Lane 2) 

W1x | Fiona Murtagh (Semi-Final) – 5:42am IST (Lane 3) 

W2x | Mags Cremen & Zoe Hyde (B Final) – 6:29am IST (Lane 2) 

W4- | Natalie Long, Emma Waters, Aisling Hayes & Imogen Magner (B Final) – 6:45am IST (Lane 4) 

M2x | Fintan McCarthy & Philip Doyle (A Final) – 7:51am IST (Lane 5) 

Results 

Friday Startlist Summary 

World Rowing Championships Programme 

World Championships Livestream 

Rowing Ireland Media Guide 

All A Final races that feature Rowing Ireland crews will be live on the RTE Player.  

Rowing Ireland congratulates all crews on their performances today and wishes them the best of luck in their upcoming races this weekend. Special congratulations to the Men’s Pair, Nathan Timoney and Ross Corrigan, who completed their World Championships campaign with a strong sixth-place finish in the A Final.

Rowing Ireland would like to thank everyone who has supported the crews throughout the week, both in Shanghai and back home. The encouragement from the grandstands and from those tuning in early to watch the racing has been greatly appreciated by all athletes and staff.