Throughout the evening, Irish Olympic athletes spanning multiple generations were recognised for their contributions and achievements. Each Olympian received their official “number,” acknowledging the significance of representing Ireland at the Olympic Games. The night also featured inspiring speeches by Minister Thomas Byrne TD and European Olympic Committees President Spyros Capralos, while the President of the Olympic Federation of Ireland, Sarah Keane, received the prestigious Order of Merit.

PTSB Inspiring a Nation Award 2024 – This year’s award went to the Irish medallists of the Paris 2024 Olympics, who collectively achieved seven medals and thirty top-ten finishes. Rowers Paul O’Donovan, Fintan McCarthy, Philip Doyle, and Daire Lynch were among those honoured for their incredible performances, highlighting rowing’s role in inspiring the nation.

Deloitte Lifetime Achievement Award – Paul O’Donovan, Ireland’s most decorated Olympian, was presented with this honour. Having medaled in three consecutive Olympics and remained undefeated at World Championships since 2016, O’Donovan continues to set a high bar for excellence in Irish sport.

Allianz Olympic Legacy Award – Sonia O’Sullivan, renowned for her silver medal in Sydney 2000, received this award for her enduring influence and support of Irish athletes, especially women.

Flogas Community Ambassador of the Year 2024 – Olympic Champion Kellie Harrington received recognition for her dedicated community work, inspiring young people across Ireland through programs like Dare to Believe.

Sport Ireland Breakthrough Olympian 2024 – Swimmer Daniel Wiffen, celebrated for his record-setting performance in Paris, was acknowledged as an emerging star on the global stage.

The evening, filled with video highlights by Inform Sport Media and live performances from Nicole Lonergan, the Galway Tenors, and Liam O’Connor, was a fitting tribute to the dedication and achievements of Irish Olympians over the past century. Rowing Ireland is proud to stand among these incredible athletes, celebrating a legacy of perseverance and triumph on the world stage.

Securing two medals—a Gold and a Bronze—matching our performance in Tokyo and achieving our best-ever result with a Lightweight crew confirming the Gold and the Heavyweight Men’s crew winning a medal for the first time, has been a monumental accomplishment. We had four crews in the A final (top six), twice as many as in Tokyo, and all seven crews that we qualified for – one more than Tokyo – reached the top 12. These results are a testament to the sacrifices, dedication, and hard work of our athletes, coaches, and staff.

The journey has certainly been challenging, with the entire team training permanently at the National Rowing Centre in Cork, traveling, and spending weeks overseas for camps and competitions. Could we have done even better? I believe so, and a thorough reflection and analysis will help us identify where and how. However, I am confident in saying that everyone—athletes, coaches, and staff—gave their absolute best.

My greatest personal satisfaction comes from witnessing the joy and pride of our athletes, coaches, and staff at the end of the competition. While some crews with high expectations faced challenges in achieving their anticipated results, I am confident that these teams are on the path to reaching their full potential. The High-Performance team remains committed to providing them with all the support and assistance they need to succeed.

It’s important to note that most of our team members were competing in their first Olympic Games, with some in their second, and only one in their third. This is also true for our coaches and staff. Before Rio 2016, we were barely on the world rowing map. We finished 13th in Rio after winning our first-ever Olympic medal, moved up to 8th in Tokyo with two medals, and now, we are 5th in Paris—matching the performance of powerhouses like the USA and Germany, and surpassing countries like Canada, Italy, Australia, Poland, Switzerland, Spain, and France.

These achievements would not have been possible without the massive support from Sport Ireland, Sport Ireland Institute, Sport NI, the Olympic Federation of Ireland, our Board, Chair, and President, our CEO, all the coaches, staff, families, friends, and the spectators who cheered us on at the venue. We also extend our deepest gratitude to our sponsors, whose generous contributions have been instrumental in our success.

The job isn’t finished yet, with Coupe later this week, the U19, U23, and Senior World Championships in 10 days, and our Para crew set to compete in Paris at the Paralympics at the end of the month. September and October will be months of review and planning for the future. Achieving great results is hard, but maintaining and improving upon them is even harder.

Paul O’Donovan’s victory marks a historic achievement as he becomes the first Irish athlete ever to medal at three different Olympic Games. His accomplishments in Rio, Tokyo, and now Paris, set a new benchmark in Irish sporting history. Fintan McCarthy, not to be outdone, joins the exclusive club of Irish Olympians who have medaled at two separate Games, a distinction already held by O’Donovan.

Coached by Dominic Casey of Skibbereen Rowing Club, O’Donovan and McCarthy have become the first back-to-back Olympic champions in Irish rowing history. Their journey and dedication have set a new standard for Irish rowing excellence.

After the race, O’Donovan expressed gratitude for the incredible support from the Irish fans: “We had brilliant support. The grandstands were green, there were tricolours everywhere. That was really great to see, all over from Skibbereen and all over Ireland. Even the French volunteers in the boat park, and from a load of other countries as well that had crews in this event were really cheering us on this morning and all week, so we really appreciated the support, it’s fantastic.”

McCarthy echoed his teammate’s sentiments, adding: “Support is amazing, it feels like there’s more in the Irish stands than any other. Just coming in after that race and seeing all the familiar faces! So amazing and great to finally give back a bit for all the years of support they’ve given us. I didn’t feel very nervous today at all. I was kinda worried that I should be (nervous) but we really had a great regatta so far so that really calmed the nerves and we just tried to get the job done.”

Margaret & Aoife Shine in Paris with Strong Performance in LW2x
The Irish duo started the race with determination, positioning themselves near the front and staying in contention for the second and third positions. Their strong start was a testament to their hard work and preparation, as they held their ground through the first half of the race. It was in the third quarter where the competition intensified, and the Irish crew drifted back slightly. Despite this, they maintained their composure and crossed the finish line in fifth place with a time of 6:54.57, a significant achievement on the Olympic stage. Margaret and Aoife’s performance in Paris highlights their growth and determination, making Ireland proud and setting a strong foundation for future success in rowing.

Mags Cremen gave her reaction: “We just wanted to go out and put ourselves in the best position at every marker and I think from the word go we gave it our best ever stroke. I suppose making the final was such a big goal for us but then when you’re in the final, the expectations of yourselves gets more and more. We definitely did our best every single stroke and really proud of our result.“

Aoife Casey added: “It’s just such a cruel sport that way that you’re so close but you’re so far when the buzzer goes but we’re so proud of how far we’ve come and all the training we’ve done and that we were able to put out such a good performance today, even though we’re not coming away with a medal. We’re coming away with such good memories for life.”

Ross and Nathan Give Their All in Men’s Pair Final
Nathan Timoney and Ross Corrigan left it all out on the water in the final of the Men’s Pair (M2-), securing a sixth-place finish with a time of 6:30.49. From the start, Ireland demonstrated their determination by going out with the highest stroke rate, hitting 51 strokes per minute in their opening strokes.

In a nail-biting first half, there was absolutely nothing separating the crews in third to fifth place. Great Britain took an early lead, with Romania hot on their heels. As the race progressed into the third 500 meters, the competition remained fierce, with just bow balls separating the crews. In a strong finish, the Irish pair managed to squeeze closer to the crews ahead, but it wasn’t enough to move into the podium positions. Their performance in Paris highlights their tenacity and dedication, making Ireland proud and promising future success in rowing.

Timoney shared his thoughts on the final: “It wasn’t the race we wanted, it wasn’t really a replication of the semi-final or the heats. We struggled to find the finesse out there today, we struggled to find the step up, that extra gear. It’s a tough pill to swallow but certainly a lot of lessons we can take from it. It doesn’t stop here. We’ll move forward, we’ll go home and think about it and reflect.”

“We’re quite young, we’re racing people like the Grecians who are exceptional athletes, almost twice our ages and we look up to those guys and even being in the mix, to race against those lads, it’s incredible and something we can take away from it but, yeah, tough pill to swallow. We’re not satisfied with the result.”

Corrigan added: “Sometimes you go out with all the intent in the world but rowing’s one of those sports where it’s not brute force and it’s not art either, it’s a mixture in between and it’s a fine balance. If we were leading the race we might have said that was an amazing race and the best we could have produced but I think, we probably thought we’d get the jump on a few boys off the start like we did last year and lead to the 500m but we kinda got caught off-guard at the start. 

“We worked for it and were trying to get on the podium but like, at the end of the day it’s an Olympic final and good performances put out there by everyone and unfortunately we weren’t on the right side of things. So many positives to take from it. We’re both pushing on for LA anyway and we’ll see what happens…we’re delighted to be part of such a high standard team who push for medals because that’s the main thing.”

Galway’s Fiona Murtagh and Aifric Keogh Finish Eighth Overall in Women’s Pair (W2-)
Galway’s Fiona Murtagh and Aifric Keogh secured an impressive second-place finish in the B Final of the Women’s Pair (W2-), clocking in at 7:08.88 and finishing eighth overall. The race began with Chile and Spain taking the early lead, while Ireland sat in fourth place. The Abraham sisters from Chile held the first position until the halfway mark, but it was then that Murtagh and Keogh found their rhythm and shifted into a higher gear.

In an impressive second half, the Irish pair surged past the Chilean crew and closed the gap on the leading Spanish double. Despite their strong finish and rapid gain on the leaders, they crossed the line in second place, just a length shy of first. Their performance in the B Final showcased their determination and teamwork, securing a commendable overall standing in the competition.

These accomplishments are a testament to the hard work, dedication, and pursuit of excellence by the athletes and their coaches. Our rowing achievements in Paris not only bring glory to our country but also inspires future generations of rowers, promising continued success and growth in the sport.

Meet the Athletes

Katie O’Brien (Galway Rowing Club)
Katie O’Brien, a rowing star from Galway, found her passion for Para sport while watching the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Her journey in rowing began shortly after, and she has since risen to become a world champion Para rower. Katie’s path to Paris 2024 was secured with an outstanding performance at the World Championships last September, showcasing her dedication and exceptional talent.

Tiarnán O’Donnell (Lee Rowing Club)
Joining Katie in the boat is Tiarnán O’Donnell, a remarkable athlete from Limerick. Tiarnán, a relative newcomer to rowing, has already shown immense potential. Initially making a name for himself as one of Ireland’s top wheelchair basketball players, he transitioned to rowing through the PTSB NextGen programme. His rapid progress and natural talent have earned him a place alongside Katie to compete in Paris.

Team Ireland’s Presentation Ceremony
The announcement of the full Team Ireland, encompassing nine sports, took place at a celebratory ceremony held at the RDS. The event was attended by friends, families, government dignitaries, and the wider Paralympics Ireland community. Minister of State at the Department of Health and at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth, Anne Rabbitte, was present to extend her best wishes to the team.

Words from the Chef de Mission
Neasa Russell, Paralympics Ireland Chef de Mission, expressed her pride and excitement: “We are really delighted to be presenting our full Team Ireland for the Paralympic Games. We are incredibly proud of the performances the athletes have put in to get to this point and we are really looking forward to supporting them reach their potential at Paris. We also must acknowledge the wonderful support staff around them that have worked tirelessly to get their teams to this point. Tús maith leath na hoibre’” (A good start is half the work).

Onward to Paris
As Katie O’Brien and Tiarnán O’Donnell prepare to compete on the world stage, the entire country rallies behind them, filled with pride and excitement.

Prior to today, Ireland had won three Olympic rowing medals: one gold (LM2x Tokyo), one silver (LM2x Rio), and one bronze (W4- Tokyo). Today’s bronze is the first-ever men’s heavyweight Olympic rowing medal for Ireland, securing Phillip Doyle and Daire Lynch’s place in history.

In a final contested under faster conditions with a slight tailwind at Vaires-sur-Marne, the favored Dutch crew was overtaken by the Romanian double, who claimed gold. The Irish duo out-sprinted the Americans to secure the bronze medal.

Phillip Doyle (Belfast Boat Club) and Daire Lynch (Clonmel Rowing Club), coached by Fran Keane, have been competing together since the 2023 European Championships and have appeared on international podiums four times: bronze at the 2023 World Cup III and World Championships, bronze at the 2024 World Cup I, and gold at World Cup III. They also won gold in the final World Cup of the season, the first-ever gold for a heavyweight men’s crew in Irish history.

Phillip Doyle referenced in his RTÉ interview straight after coming off the water that he felt he made a slight mistake coming to the line, here he explains: “There was actually a bit of a wash the whole way down and a bit more of a headwind than we thought. We were being pushed a little bit over, kind of overworking one side. I’ve a bit of neck thing that’s been at me all year and it just sort of then started seizing up.

“But we were on the red line and then I kind of just lost the handle a little bit in one of the strokes and I looked and I was like, ‘Jeez, please not now!’ and I looked up and I was like, ‘oh the Americans are far enough back.’

“We were moving on the Dutch but look, what can you do? You push yourself to the line. Sometimes you fall over it but you just manage to rectify the glitch. You just try and smooth it out and then relax a bit more, because if the body gets tense, then you’ll overwork it.”

On winning an Olympic medal just 15 months after they first got together as a crew Daire Lynch gave this take: “Yeah, I was over America until the March last year and then when I came back, like I didn’t really know what to expect when I came back, I was just hoping to get into a boat. Straight away we started going very well and really, since then, we haven’t really been touched, and, like a lot of crews you have your ups and downs but we’ve been extremely consistent.”

Phillip added: “It’s all about synchronising, working together, making the most out of each other as a pairing and I think we’re ying and yang personalities maybe a little but we’ve found the best way to match together and work off each other’s strengths. The things I lack he brings, and the things he lacks I bring. It seems to work and it’s been a great partnership over the last 15 months which has born fruit again and again.”

Daire admitted he was in New York working and decided to start training again on the rowing machine in his apartment building morning and evening and was getting fitter and decided he’d try for the Olympics: “Who would have known a year and a half ago that I’d be getting a bronze medal!” he said.

Their journey, from initial trials to the Olympic podium, exemplifies resilience and synergy, celebrating a proud chapter in Ireland’s rowing legacy.

Alison Bergin and Zoe Hyde Achieve Top 10 Finish in Olympic Double Sculls
Alison Bergin from Fermoy Rowing Club and her double sculls partner Zoe Hyde of Tralee Rowing Club secured a top 10 finish at the Olympic Games in Paris by placing fourth in the B final of the Women’s Double Sculls (W2x) with a time of 6:55.62. Competing at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, they delivered a commendable performance in today’s final, finishing behind Australia, Czechia, and the USA, while ahead of Italy and China.

Women’s Four Clinch Victory in B Final
The Women’s Four, featuring Emily Hegarty (Skibbereen Rowing Club), Imogen Magner (Carlow Rowing Club), Eimear Lambe (Old Collegians Boat Club), and Natalie Long (Lee Valley Rowing Club), capped off their Olympic Games with a stellar performance by winning the B final in the Women’s Four (W4-) with a time of 6:34.74. This triumphant finish places the Women’s Four seventh overall at the Games.

Crews Gear Up for Grand Finale in Paris
Irish rowing crews are set for an exciting day of competition on Friday 2nd August. Fiona Murtagh and Aifric Keogh will kick off the day in the Women’s Pair B Final. Following them, Ross Corrigan and Nathan Timoney will vie for medals in the Men’s Pair A Final. Tokyo 2020 winners Fintan McCarthy and Paul O’Donovan will compete in the Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls. Finally, Margaret Cremen and Aoife Casey will race in the Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls A Final.

Women’s Pair Final B: Fiona Murtagh & Aifric Keogh
Lane 1 | Time: 9:54 am IST / 10.54 am CET

The lineup for the B Final includes:
Lane 2: Great Britain
Lane 3: Denmark
Lane 4: Chile
Lane 5: Spain
Lane 6: Czech Republic

Men’s Pair Final A: Ross Corrigan & Nathan Timoney
Lane 6 | Time: 10:30 am IST / 11.30 am CET

Lane 1: Spain
Lane 2: Switzerland
Lane 3: Croatia
Lane 4: Romania
Lane 5: Great Britain

Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls Final A: Fintan McCarthy & Paul O’Donovan
Lane 3 | Time: 11:02 am IST / 12.02 am CET

Lane 1: Czech Republic
Lane 2: Greece
Lane 4: Italy
Lane 5: Switzerland
Lane 6: Norway

Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls Final A: Margaret Cremen & Aoife Casey
Lane 1 | Time 11:22 am IST / 12.22 CET

Lane 2: Greece
Lane 3: Great Britain
Lane 4: Romania
Lane 5: New Zealand
Lane 6: USA

We wish our crews the best of luck as they compete for medals at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris tomorrow! We extend our sincere gratitude to all our supporters, sponsors, family, and friends for their unwavering encouragement and dedication, which have been instrumental in bringing them to this prestigious stage.

Men’s Pair (M2-) Makes History
Nathan Timoney (23) and Ross Corrigan (25) made history by becoming the first Irish Men’s Pair to reach an Olympic final. The Fermanagh duo finished third in their semi-final, following a strong start and maintaining their position against formidable competitors. The reigning World Champions, Great Britain, and the European silver medallists, Romania, edged out Timoney and Corrigan by just over half a second. This achievement surpasses the previous best finish by Pat Gannon and Willie Ryan, who placed seventh at the 1980 Moscow Games.

Reflecting on their race, Timoney expressed the intensity and strategy involved: “That was epic, epic racing! Definitely a replication from last year’s World Champs final. I think it was necessary. We definitely had to go out a little harder than we did in the heats . A lesson learnt. We knew we’d definitely suffered for it a little bit for it in the second half and obviously in the last 250m the Kiwis were coming back at us quite swiftly, kudos to them but to be in front, you’re in control of the race and if we could see them coming we could kind of react. I think we did that pretty well. We were just holding on for dear life in the last 150.

“In the middle of it it’s hard to know sometimes where you are. The way I race is I try to be as internal as possible. Sometimes Ross would make the call and let me know where we are but I like to be internal and certainly, in the last 250 you realise you’re in for a dog-fight and that’s where the body wakes up and you’re like ‘right, let’s make a move”

Corrigan, whose cousin – golfer Leona Maguire is also on the Irish team, added: “We had a plan up until 1500m and then we were leaving it in God’s hands. We knew we’d move when we needed to move and I called it a bit earlier today, in the last 300 the Kiwis were coming back at us but we knew in the heat that we had enough to come back at them so we knew we could keep pushing on and then the last 100 you’re just holding on and trying not to slow the boat down more than anything. Just make no mistakes!”

Reigning Champions Shine in Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls (LM2x)
Olympic and World Champions Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy showcased their dominance by winning their semi-final in the Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls. The Cork double, trailing initially, surged ahead at the halfway mark, leaving their competitors behind. They secured a clear victory over the Swiss team, who had previously beaten them at World Cup II.

O’Donovan noted their strong performance and the anticipation for the final: “We felt good with the performance. The legs are feeling strong, I was feeling that way on camp on our training camp, we were moving the boat well and we had a lot of fatigue in the legs then, but freshening up a little bit now and starting to improve the technique a little bit since we’ve been here so we’re very much looking forward to Friday.”

McCarthy added: “It was just to feel good racing again and I don’t think we’ve been that sort of in with the pack as early on (in the season) as recent times so it was nice to kind of be back, and be back commanding races, and we’ll see how we get on, on Friday.”

The duo will face Italy, Greece, and Norway, among others, in what promises to be a fiercely contested race.

Looking ahead to that race O’Donovan gave his view; “I think it’ll be a tough race; Italy are fast starters, Greece are fast starters, the Swiss are fast off the start and they hold it a long ways out. The Czechs can go off very quick, you know, Norway quick off the start, quick sprint finish as well if they get going so I think it’ll really be kind of hang in there in the first 1000m for us, and once you’re in the pack then I think the race will kind of start again there, and people will start to make a move again, and hopefully we’ll be able to respond and take it up ourselves.”

Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls (LW2x) Reach Their First Final
Margaret Cremen and Aoife Casey have progressed to their first Olympic final in the Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls, marking a significant improvement from their eighth-place finish in Tokyo. The Cork duo delivered a stellar performance, securing third place in a tight race against Greece and Romania.

Casey described the race as a grueling yet exhilarating experience: “You’re in the pain cave out there, in the pain cave definitely but you don’t even have time to think about it, it comes so fast! I think it was pretty flat to be honest (conditions).Our focus is just to try and get out of the start strong, get into a race pace and then you’re just kind of thinking of one split faster, one second faster. You’re just trying to kind of do as much as you can in the race to put yourself in the right position for the sprint, and I think we did that.

You know we were alongside the French, we’re always alongside the French in the big races, but we were kind of like just tracking everyone, feeling good and making sure that our approach was counted so I think when we got to the nitty gritty in that last quarter we just wanted to empty the tank. I think we did so really delighted that we were on the right side of the margin this time because last year we were on the wrong side of it you know. So I think it’s just the learnings, we’re through all the up and downs, and we’re really excited to have I suppose achieved our goal of the final, so super excited for Friday to see what we can leave on the water.”

Women’s Pair (W2-) Show Strength Despite Setback
In contrast, the Women’s Pair (W2-) of Fiona Murtagh and Aifric Keogh demonstrated resilience, finishing sixth in their semi-final. Despite not qualifying for the A Final, the Galway rowers will compete in the B Final on Friday, August 2, 2024, at 09:54 AM IST, showing their determination and skill.

Looking Ahead
Ireland’s rowers are gearing up for an exciting day of competition on Thursday, August 1st, with multiple teams competing in both A and B finals. Fans can look forward to witnessing the impressive skills and determination of these athletes as they take to the water, showcasing their hard work and dedication.

Men’s Double Sculls Compete for Medal
After a series of strong performances, Doyle and Lynch are set to compete for a medal, aiming to add to Ireland’s illustrious rowing achievements. Their journey to the final has been marked by exceptional teamwork and perseverance, making them strong contenders in this highly anticipated race.

Men’s Double Sculls Final A: Phillip Doyle & Daire Lynch
Lane 3 | Time: 10:30 am IST / 11:30 am CET

The lineup for the Final includes:
Lane 1: Romania
Lane 2: Spain
Lane 4: Netherlands
Lane 5: USA
Lane 6: New Zealand

Women’s Double Sculls Final B: Alison Bergin & Zoe Hyde
Lane 2 | Time: 9:30 am IST / 10:30 am CET

The competitors in this B Final are:
Lane 1: Italy
Lane 3: Czech Republic
Lane 4: Australia
Lane 5: USA
Lane 6: China

Women’s Four Final B: Emily Hegarty, Eimear Lambe, Natalie Long, and Imogen Magner
Lane 1 | Time: 9:54 am IST / 10:54 am CET

The other two B finalists in this race are:
Lane 2: Denmark
Lane 3: Australia

Supporting Our Athletes
As these talented rowers prepare for their respective finals, the support from fans and the entire country will be crucial. Each of these athletes has shown exceptional dedication and has made Ireland proud with their performances.

Philip added: “It went pretty much the exact way we thought it would go, we did what we wanted to do, we executed well. We knew there would be a couple that would go off like the clappers at the start, and sure we knew they’d go off like that and if they’re going to go off and do silly things they’re going to pay for it later so you just have to be confident that we are going to make them pay. We just have to watch because obviously the six lads in the final might not pay too hard so we need to not let them get too much and then work our way through again.”

Women’s Double Sculls:
Alison Bergin and Zoe Hyde showed great determination in their semi-final, finishing fifth with a time of 6:55.08. Although they did not advance to the A Final, their performance was commendable against a highly competitive field. They will compete in the B Final on Friday, 1st August at 9:30 am IST, aiming to finish their Olympic journey on a high note. Their resilience and commitment will undoubtedly inspire many young rowers.

Afterwards Alison said: “We’ve been preparing for a long time for this and we were just taking every race as it comes so yeah we’re disappointed but we’ll just look forward to the next race now. We’ll re-assess later, sit down and look at the race and make a new strategy for the next day.”

Women’s Four:
The team of Emily Hegarty, Natalie Long, Eimear Lambe, and Imogen Magner displayed impressive teamwork and strength in the repechage, finishing fourth with a time of 6:38.20. Despite missing out on the A Final, their effort has earned them a place in the B Final, which will take place on Thursday at 9:54 am IST. This crew has shown remarkable progress and determination throughout, and they will be looking to leave a lasting impression in their final race.

Day 5 Preview: Semi-Finals Day

Men’s Pair – Ross Corrigan and Nathan Timoney
Lane 5 | Semifinal A/B 2
Time: 9:44 am IST / 10:44 am CET

Other semi finalists hoping to secure a place in the A Final on Friday 2nd August at 10.30 am IST:

Lane 1: Germany
Lane 2: Romania
Lane 3: Great Britain
Lane 4: New Zealand
Lane 6: Italy

Women’s Pair – Fiona Murtagh and Aifric Keogh
Lane 5 | Semifinal A/B 2
Time: 10:04 am IST / 11:04 am CET

Other competitors hoping to secure one of three places in the A Final on Friday 2nd August at 10.42 am IST:

Lane 1: Spain
Lane 2: Chile
Lane 3: Lithuania
Lane 4: Australia
Lane 6: United States

Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls – Fintan McCarthy and Paul O’Donovan
Lane 4 | Semifinal A/B 1
Time: 10:14 am IST / 11:14 am CET

The other crews in contention for those 3 spots in the A final on Friday at 11.02 am IST:

Lane 1: Argentina
Lane 2: Belgium
Lane 3: Switzerland
Lane 5: Czech Republic
Lane 6: France

Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls – Mags Cremen and Aoife Casey
Lane 5 | Semifinal A/B 2
Time: 10:44 am IST / 11:44 am CET

Other crews in this semi final looking for one of those top 3 spots in the A final on Friday at 11.22 am IST:

Lane 1: Austria
Lane 2: Greece
Lane 3: Romania
Lane 4: France
Lane 6: Tunisia

Stay tuned for more updates and results as our athletes continue to compete on the world stage!

Afterwards Mags had this reaction: “It was a really solid race so it was great, and felt good. It was our goal today to just feel in control and execute our plan. I think we did that, and I think we just wanted to be with the pack as long as we could and then have confidence in ourselves so that we can push through then with the fitness we have.”

Day 4 Schedule
Day 4 promises to be an exciting day of racing for the Irish rowing team, with crucial semifinal and repêchage events lined up. Key races include Alison Bergin and Zoe Hyde in the Women’s Double Sculls, Philip Doyle and Daire Lynch in the Men’s Double Sculls, and the Women’s Four featuring Emily Hegarty, Eimear Lambe, Natalie Long, and Imogen Magner. Each crew faces tough competition, but with strong performances so far, hopes are high for progression to the A Finals.

Women’s Double Sculls – Alison Bergin & Zoe Hyde
Lane 5 | Semifinal A/B 1
Time: 9.50 AM IST / 10.50 AM CET

Alison and Zoe will race from Lane 5, facing off against:

Lane 1: Netherlands
Lane 2: Czech Republic
Lane 3: New Zealand
Lane 4: France
Lane 6: Italy

Advancement Criteria:
Places 1 to 3: Progress to the A Final on Friday, August 2nd at 10.18 AM IST.
Place 4+: Enter the B Final at 9.30 AM IST on the same date.

Men’s Double Sculls – Phillip Doyle & Daire Lynch
Lane 4 | Semifinal A/B 2
Time: 10.20 AM IST / 11.20 AM CET

Phillip and Daire will race from Lane 4, against:

Lane 1: Germany
Lane 2: USA
Lane 3: New Zealand
Lane 5: Norway
Lane 6: France

Advancement Criteria:
Places 1 to 3: Progress to the A Final on Thursday, August 1st at 10.30 AM IST.
Place 4+: Enter the B Final at 9.42 AM IST on the same date.

Women’s Four – Emily Hegarty, Eimear Lambe, Natalie Long, Imogen Magner
Lane 3 | Repêchage
Time: 10.30 AM IST / 11.30 AM CET

The Women’s Four will race from lane 3 facing :

Lane 1: Denmark
Lane 2: USA
Lane 4: China
Lane 5: Australia

Advancement Criteria:
Places 1 to 2: Progress to the A Final on Thursday at 10.50 AM IST.
Place 3+: Enter the B Final at 9.54 AM IST on the same day.

As the Irish rowing team heads into Day 4, the excitement and anticipation are palpable. With strong showings in previous races, the crews are poised to deliver peak performance.

Women’s Pair (Fiona Murtagh & Aifric Keogh)
Fiona Murtagh and Aifric Keogh demonstrated their strength and synergy, finishing 2nd in their heat. Their performance secured them a place in the Semi Final on Wednesday, starting at 9:54 am IST.

Men’s Pair (Ross Corrigan & Nathan Timoney)
In a nail-biting photo finish, Ross Corrigan and Nathan Timoney clinched 3rd place in their heat, ensuring their progression to the Semi Final on Wednesday, beginning at 9:34 am IST.

Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls (Mags Cremen & Aoife Casey)
Mags Cremen and Aoife Casey fought hard to secure 3rd place in their heat. They will compete in the Repêchage tomorrow, Monday, at 10:00 am IST, aiming for a spot in the Semi Final.

Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls (Fintan McCarthy & Paul O’Donovan)
Fintan McCarthy and Paul O’Donovan were dominant in their heat, finishing as clear winners and comfortably securing their place in the Semi-Final on Wednesday, starting at 10:14 am IST.

Women’s Four (Emily Hegarty, Eimear Lambe, Natalie Long, Imogen Magner)
The Women’s Four team of Emily Hegarty, Eimear Lambe, Natalie Long, and Imogen Magner put in a solid performance, securing 3rd place in their heat. They will compete in the Repêchage on Tuesday at 10:30 am IST, seeking to advance further in the competition.

Garth Young, Rowing Ireland High Performance Chairperson
“The absolute belief, drive, dedication, and commitment of our athletes and coaches are truly inspiring. It is this unwavering determination that fuels their pursuit of excellence on the world stage. The athletes have shown incredible resilience and strength, not just in their physical training but also in their mental preparation and focus.

“The journey to the Olympics is a challenging one, filled with early mornings, long hours of intense focus, time away from home, missing family and friends and making tough choices. Yet, our rowers rise to the occasion every day, driven by their passion for the sport and their desire to make their country proud. This commitment extends beyond the athletes and coaches to include the invaluable support system surrounding them.

“Parents, partners, clubs, and sponsors play a crucial role in this journey. They provide the foundation upon which our athletes build their dreams. The encouragement and support from loved ones, the technical and emotional backing from clubs, and the financial and moral support from sponsors and Sport Ireland are indispensable. These contributions create an environment where our athletes can thrive and push their limits.

“We are confident in our team’s potential to perform to their very best at these Games, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported us along the way”.

As Day 3 approaches, the Irish rowing team remains focused and determined, ready to continue their quest for Olympic success. Stay tuned for more updates and exciting races ahead.

Neville Maxwell, President of Rowing Ireland, praised the collective effort behind these achievements:

“Our success on the water is a testament to the dedication and hard work of everyone involved in the High Performance (HP) programme led by Programme Director, Antonio Maurogiovanni. Coaches have meticulously prepared the athletes, focusing on every detail to ensure peak performance. The support staff, from physiotherapists to nutritionists, play a crucial role in maintaining the athletes’ health and well-being, allowing them to compete at their best. Among our team are several first-time Olympians who are facing formidable competition on the world stage. The entire HP programme is a collaborative effort, demonstrating the power of teamwork and the pursuit of excellence.”

Pre Race Announcement for Sunday 28th July

Day 2 of the Olympics brings an exciting lineup for Irish rowing fans, with multiple crews hitting the water to compete in their respective heats. Here’s a detailed look at the schedule and the competitors they will face:

Women’s Pair

Crew: Fiona Murtagh & Aifric Keogh
Heat: 2 | Lane: 4
Time: 9:40 am IST / 10:40 am CET

Fiona Murtagh and Aifric Keogh will race in Heat 2 from Lane 4, facing off against:

• Lane 1: Czech Republic
• Lane 2: Romania
• Lane 3: Great Britain

Advancement Criteria:

• Places 1 to 3: Progress to the Semi-Final on Wednesday, July 31st, starting from 9:54 AM IST.
• Place 4: Enter the Repêchage on Monday, July 29th, at 9:30 AM IST. The top 3 from the Repêchage will also advance to the Semi-Final on Wednesday.

Men’s Pair

Crew: Ross Corrigan & Nathan Timoney
Heat: 1 | Lane: 2
Time: 10:00 am IST / 11:00 am CET

Ross Corrigan and Nathan Timoney will compete in Heat 1 from Lane 2. They will be up against:

• Lane 1: Spain
• Lane 3: Switzerland
• Lane 4: USA
• Lane 5: New Zealand

Advancement Criteria:

• Places 1 to 3: Progress to the Semi-Final on Wednesday, July 31st, starting from 9:34 AM IST.
• Place 4: Enter the Repêchage on Monday, July 29th, at 9:20 AM IST. The top 3 from the Repêchage will also advance to the Semi-Final on Wednesday.

Lightweight Women’s Double Sculls

Crew: Mags Cremen & Aoife Casey
Heat: 1 | Lane: 1
Time: 10:30 am IST / 11:30 am CET

Mags Cremen and Aoife Casey will row in Lane 1 of Heat 1, competing with:

• Lane 2: Tunisia
• Lane 3: Austria
• Lane 4: Argentina
• Lane 5: Great Britain
• Lane 6: Greece

Advancement Criteria:

• Places 1 to 2: Progress to the Semi-Final on Wednesday, July 31st, starting from 10.34 AM IST.
• Place 3+: Enter the Repêchage on Monday, July 29th, from 10 AM IST. The top 3 from the Repêchage will also advance to the Semi-Final on Wednesday.

Lightweight Men’s Double Sculls

Crew: Fintan McCarthy & Paul O’Donovan
Heat: 3 | Lane: 4
Time: 11:20 am IST / 12:20 pm CET

Fintan McCarthy and Paul O’Donovan will race in Lane 4 of Heat 3, facing:

• Lane 1: Egypt
• Lane 2: Greece
• Lane 3: Norway
• Lane 5: Ukraine

Advancement Criteria:

• Places 1 to 2: Progress to the Semi-Final on Wednesday, July 31st, starting from 10.14 AM IST.
• Place 3+: Enter the Repêchage on Monday, July 29th, from 9.40 AM IST. The top 3 from the Repêchage will also advance to the Semi-Final on Wednesday.

Women’s Four

Crew: Emily Hegarty, Eimear Lambe, Natalie Long, Imogen Magner
Heat: 2 | Lane: 1
Time: 11:40 am IST / 12:40 pm CET

The Women’s Four team, featuring Emily Hegarty, Eimear Lambe, Natalie Long, and Imogen Magner, will compete in Lane 1 of Heat 2 against:

• Lane 2: Romania
• Lane 3: Australia
• Lane 4: Netherlands

Advancement Criteria:

• Places 1 to 2: Progress to the Final A on Thursday 1st at 10.50 AM IST.
• Place 3+: Enter the Repêchage on Tuesday, July 30th, at 10.30 AM IST. The top 2 from the Repêchage will enter the A Final with 3+ in the B Final on Thursday.

Stay Tuned for Updates

As our talented athletes take to the water, we wish them the best of luck and look forward to cheering them on. Follow our live updates and coverage throughout the day for the latest results and highlights.