The Irish rowers are returning home after a successful World Championships with four medals and a new World Championship best time in the BW1x.
The JM2x of Ciaran O'Sullivan (Lee RC) and Fergus Bryce (CGS BC) were the first Irish crew to take to the water today. After a substantial win in the C/D Semi yesterday, the boys were set to go this morning in the C Final. Ciaran and Fergus were fourth off the start but quickly picked up the pace coming across the 1000m mark in first position. The Irish crew finished with clear water ahead of Greece and Romania, in a time of 6:27.93.
The Women's Quad of Kate Reidy (Lee RC), Lauren McCarthy-Steele (Skibbereen RC), Moya Knowles (Skibbereen RC) and Ayla O'Neill (Kenmare RC) were up next in their B Final. Throughout the race it was the Irish crew and the South African crew battling it out, exchanging positions with only a bow ball between them. In a tight finish, it was the South African crew that nudged ahead and finished .85 of a second faster. Ninth in the world for the young crew this year, and definitely more still to come!
From left to right: Ciaran O’Sullivan (JM2x), Kate Reidy (JW4x), Fergus Bryce (JM2x), Janet Walsh (coach)
Finishing up the World Championships for the Irish team, the JW2x of Holly Davis (Lee Valley RC) and Anna Keating (Shannon RC) placed 6th in their A Final against a tough field. Greece won gold, followed by Italy taking silver and Germany taking bronze.
Rowing Ireland's High Performance Director, Antonio Maurogiovanni said "This year's Junior/U23 World Championships have been one of the most competitive and challenging championships to date.
We selected three junior (JM2x, JW2x and JW4x) and four U23 crews (BM4-, BM2x, BLM2x, BW1x). The very young Junior team, most of them having at least one more junior year, had one crew in the top 13, one in the top 11 and the JW2x in the top six of the world. They have all learnt a lot, and if well supported and encouraged, I'm sure we will see many of them progress well in the future.
JW4x (from left to right): Kate Reidy, Lauren McCarthy Steele, Moya Knowles, Ayla O’Neill
As Afloat reported earlier, four U23 crews were selected, all four reaching the A finals (top six) as well as all four winning a medal. Making this result, the most successful result in Irish U23 history. This result is excellent, and will be almost impossible to repeat without the support of all the clubs and universities rowing programmes.
There has been a lot of preparation and hard work on behalf of the athletes, coaches and staff over the last few months. I want to thank the families and club and university coaches who have supported the athletes along their journey, as well as the crews coach’s of Leah O'Regan, John Armstrong, Nicolo Maurogiovanni, Janet Walsh, head coaches Fran Kean, Dominic Casey, Giuseppe De Vita, and the support staff, Michael O'Rourke. This result could not of been done without the hard work of all involved".
BM4- bronze medallist, Nathan Timoney on the U23 World Championships: "After a savage medal haul for the Irish Team, it has been quite the experience for us athletes. Our success is dedicated back to our clubs, coaches, past and present, my own being Enniskillen Royal Boat Club, QUBBC, and our families and friends supporting us all the way. This week has reflected the continued rise of success for Irish rowing, paving the way for the future, leading up to Paris 2024".
Fermoy RC athlete, Alison Bergin after winning bronze in the BW1x: "The team and myself are delighted to be coming home after such a successful championship. We greatly appreciate all of the support we have been receiving from home this week, and throughout the year. Without them and the support from our clubs, none of this would have been possible".
Irish Results
U23 Championships
BLM2x - Silver
BM2x - Bronze
BM4- - Bronze
BW1x - Bronze
U19 Championships
JW2x - 6th A Final
JW4x - 3rd B Final
JM2x - 1st C Final
