Irish rowing continues to ride the crest of a wave, with the 2025 World Rowing Championships in Shanghai marking one of the most successful campaigns in the sport’s history.
Four medals — two gold and two bronze — along with a series of strong supporting performances, underlined the depth and ambition of the high-performance programme that has continued to develop over the past decade.
Gold
The standout story belonged to Fiona Murtagh, who powered her way to victory in the Women’s Single Sculls.
It was her first medal at a World Championship, and it could not have been more dramatic — edging Britain’s Lauren Henry by just 0.03 seconds in a thrilling sprint to the line.
Murtagh, already an Olympic medalist, has now claimed her place as a world champion in her own right.
Read our Interview with Fiona from the summer
Not to be outdone, Fintan McCarthy and Mags Cremen created history by winning Ireland’s, and indeed the first-ever gold in the Mixed Double Sculls.
Their composure in taking the lead midway through the race and holding off all challengers spoke volumes about their maturity as athletes and the decision of the coaches who put the pairing together.
Bronze and Beyond
The medal tally was rounded out by Jake McCarthy, who won bronze in the Lightweight Men’s Single Sculls, and by the pairing of Fintan McCarthy and Philip Doyle, who took bronze in the Men’s Double Sculls.
For the McCarthy brothers, these championships were another step in cementing their family name in Irish rowing folklore, while Doyle’s consistency continues to make him a cornerstone of the national squad.
Building Depth
Beyond the medals, there was much to admire in the performances of other Irish crews. A number of athletes reached the A and B finals, posting times that demonstrate Ireland’s presence across more boat classes than ever before.
Rowing remains one of Ireland’s most reliable producers of world-class performances, and the results in Shanghai reaffirm the sport’s place at the forefront of Irish high performance.
Image Credit: Sport for Business
Further Reading for Sport for Business members:
Read our Sport for Business Coverage on Rowing
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