Each weekend, we select performances from Irish sports that deserve recognition. This weekend, we highlight action in Golf across the Atlantic, in American Football in Dublin for the first time, in Rowing, in Swimming, in Para athletics, in Rugby and in Greyhound Racing.

This week’s Champions of the Weekend is brought to us by PwC, one of Sport for Business’s key partners and supporters of our annual highlighting of 30 Under 30 Future Business leaders.

 

Europe’s Ryder Cup Team

Sure, of course, we needed the drama to set the stage for Shane Lowry securing the final winning half a point and doing that dance on the 18th green.

This was a contest that was always compelling, at times disconcerting, occasionally spilling over the line of what is acceptable in a sporting contest but ultimately the kind of contest you could not turn away from.

And the rematch is coming to Ireland in 2027 when Adare Manor will host the eyes of the sporting world.

 

Dublin City

From the staging at Croke Park to the soft power and hard partying that took place in the capital over the weekend, Dublin City entertained 50,000 visitors, drawn to sport and won over forever.

 

The Irish Para Swimmers

Team Ireland contested two finals on the last day of competition at the World Para Swimming Championships in Singapore, securing two podium finishes to round off a highly successful week.
Dearhbhaile Brady was first up and added to her bronze medal from earlier in the week with a stunning silver in the S6 50m Butterfly. This was Brady’s second World Championship and her first World Championship medal.
Ní Riain followed her teammates medal medal-winning performance by adding a fifth medal to her collection, bronze in the SM13 200m IM, touching the wall in a time of 2:29.75

Irish Rowers

Rowing Ireland celebrated a historic final day at the 2025 World Rowing Championships in Shanghai, claiming two gold medals in thrilling style. Fiona Murtagh stormed to victory in the Women’s Single Sculls, while just two races later Mags Cremen and Fintan McCarthy added a second gold in the Mixed Double Sculls.

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

 

Irish Para Athletes

Team Ireland claimed two gold medals on a memorable day at the World Para Athletics Championships in New Delhi after outstanding performances from Greta Streimikyte in the 1,500M T13 and Orla Comerford in the T13 100M.

 

Munster, Connacht and Ulster Rugby

Leinster fell to defeat in South Africa but there were wins in the first round of the United Rugby Championship for Connacht, Munster and Ulster over the weekend.

 

Cheap Sandwiches

When the traps opened for the Final of the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby Cheap Sandwiches burst into immediate contention, establishing a lead early and then refusing to be caught. From Trap 5, the favourite ran the race of his life, leading from the bends and drawing clear in the home straight, stopping the clock at 29.37 seconds, to secure his first prize money of €125,000.

 

Image Credit: Sport for Business

Further Reading for Sport for Business members:

Read our Sport for Business Coverage of previous Champions of the Weekend

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