It was a strong morning for Rowing Ireland at the 2025 World Rowing Under 19 Championships in Trakai, Lithuania, with two crews securing their places in Sunday’s A Finals.

Junior Women’s Double Sculls – Aoife Hendy & Sophia Young
Aoife Hendy (Skibbereen RC) and Sophia Young (Methodist College Belfast RC) were the first Rowing Ireland crew on the water this morning and delivered a composed and determined performance in their Semi-Final. Finishing 3rd with a time of 7:45.13, they secured their place in the A Final, joining the top six junior women’s double sculls crews in the world.

  • A Final: Sunday, 10 August 2025
  • Time: 10:26am IST
  • Lane: 1

Junior Men’s Double Sculls – Jack Rafferty & Jonah Kirby
Shortly after, Jack Rafferty (St Michael’s RC) and Jonah Kirby (Kenmare RC) produced a dominant row to win their Semi-Final in a time of 6:42.36. Leading from start to finish, the crew controlled the race and comfortably advanced to Sunday’s A Final.

  • A Final: Sunday, 10 August 2025
  • Time: 10:41am IST
  • Lane: 4

Before Sunday’s finals, the remaining three Under 19 Championships crews will contest their Semi-Finals on Saturday, 9 August:

Junior Women’s Four – Semifinal 1
12:01 IST | Lane 5
Sarah Rockett (Athlone BC), Isabella Wright (Enniskillen Royal BC), Clóda Phillips (St Michael’s RC), and Anna O’Grady (Athlone BC).

Junior Men’s Four – Semifinal 2
12:28 IST | Lane 1
Daniel Crozier (Methodist College RC), Tommy Little (Neptune RC), Richard Heaslip (Athlone BC), and Paul Schofield (Coláiste Iognáid RC).

Junior Men’s Quadruple Sculls – Semifinal 1
12:55 IST | Lane 6
Harry McCartney (Methodist College RC), Bill Murphy (Cappoquin RC), Mattias Cogan (Skibbereen RC), and Evan O’Byrne (St Michael’s RC).

Best of luck to all crews representing Rowing Ireland this weekend – an excellent showing so far at the World Rowing Under 19 Championships in Trakai! A special thanks to our coaching and support staff for their continued dedication, and as always, sincere thanks to our sponsors and supporters for making it all possible.

Photo Credit: World Rowing