The 2025 World Rowing Championships begin this weekend on Sunday, 21st September in Shanghai, China. Rowing Ireland will be represented by 24 athletes competing across 12 boat classes. On Saturday, 20th September, the spares race will take place featuring Claire Feerick (Neptune Rowing Club) and Alison Bergin (Fermoy Rowing Club). Claire and Alison are an important part of the team’s campaign, providing crucial depth and cover in the event of injury or illness. The spares race runs from 4:00 – 5:00am (IST).
W2- | Emily Hegarty (Skibbereen Rowing Club) & Aoife Casey (Skibbereen Rowing Club)
Emily Hegarty and Aoife Casey will compete in the Women’s Pair (W2-), marking their return to international racing after the 2024 Paris Olympics. This will mark Aoife’s international debut in the heavyweight category. Romania, gold medallists at the 2025 European Championships, are the favourites in this event. There are 16 entries, with heats leading into the semi-finals.
Heat: Sunday, 21st September – from 3:19am IST
M2- | Nathan Timoney (Queen’s University Belfast Boat Club) & Ross Corrigan (Portora Boat Club)
Nathan Timoney and Ross Corrigan return to the Men’s Pair after an A Final finish at the Paris Olympics. This is Nathan’s first international race since the Games, while Ross raced at the 2024 European Championships. Romania, winners of the European Championships and the World Cup in Lucerne, will be the crew to beat. There are 23 entries, with heats progressing to the semi-finals.
Heat: Sunday, 21st September – from 3:37am IST
M4x | Andrew Sheehan (UCC Rowing Club), Adam Murphy (UCC Rowing Club), Brian Colsh (University of Galway Boat Club) and Ronan Byrne (Shandon Boat Club)
The Men’s Quad of Andrew Sheehan, Adam Murphy, Brian Colsh and Ronan Byrne return following the World Cup in Lucerne and will look to build on their performance. Great Britain are the strong favourites, having won gold at the European Championships and World Cup in Lucerne, and bronze in Varese. There are 14 entries, with heats progressing to the semi-finals.
Heat: Sunday, 21st September – from 4:15am IST
W2x | Mags Cremen (UCC Rowing Club) & Zoe Hyde (Tralee Rowing Club)
Zoe Hyde and Mags Cremen return to the Women’s Double following strong campaigns at the European Championships and World Cup in Lucerne. They narrowly missed a medal at the Europeans with a fourth-place finish, they will look to build on this result at the World Championships. China, racing on home waters, are favourites after winning both World Cups. With 12 entries in this event, heats will progress to A and B finals.
Heat: Monday, 22nd September – from 3:47am IST
M2x | Fintan McCarthy (Skibbereen Rowing Club) & Philip Doyle (Belfast Boat Club)
Olympic medallists Philip Doyle and Fintan McCarthy team up in the Men’s Double. Fintan is a double Olympic champion in the lightweight men’s double, while Philip is an Olympic bronze medallist in this event. Romania, the reigning Olympic champions, will provide tough competition. There are 20 entries, with heats progressing to the semi-finals.
Heat: Monday, 22nd September – from 3:59am IST
W4- | Natalie Long (Lee Valley Rowing Club), Emma Waters (University of Galway Boat Club), Imogen Magner (Lee Valley Rowing Club) & Aisling Hayes (Skibbereen Rowing Club)
The Women’s Four combines experience and fresh talent, with Olympians Imogen Magner and Natalie Long joined by newcomers Emma Waters and Aisling Hayes. This will be a highly competitive event, with several podium crews from the 2025 season returning. There are 13 entries, with heats progressing to the semi-finals.
Heat: Monday, 22nd September – from 4:25am IST
W1x | Fiona Murtagh (University of Galway Boat Club)
Fiona Murtagh races the Women’s Single following a strong season, winning silver at both the European Championships and World Cup in Lucerne. She will look to close the gap on Great Britain’s Lauren Henry, the dominant sculler this year. There are 20 entries, with heats progressing to the semi-finals.
Heat: Monday, 22nd September – from 7:05am IST
M1x | Konan Pazzaia (Queen’s University Belfast Boat Club)
Konan Pazzaia steps into the Men’s Single after success in the Men’s Double at the European Championships and World Cup in Lucerne, where he claimed bronze medals. With 36 entries including all three Olympic medallists, this is one of the toughest fields of the regatta. Heats will progress to the semi-finals.
Heat: Monday, 22nd September – from 7:31am IST
LW1x | Siobhan McCrohan (Tribesmen Rowing Club)
Siobhan McCrohan, last year’s World bronze medallist, will race in the Lightweight Women’s Single. She had a strong campaign in Lucerne but narrowly missed a podium finish. The Mexican sculler, unbeaten at both World Cups this year, will be one to watch. There are 20 entries, with heats progressing to the semi-finals.
Heat: Tuesday, 23rd September – from 3:05am IST
LM1x | Jake McCarthy (Skibbereen Rowing Club)
Jake McCarthy races the Lightweight Men’s Single following a fourth-place finish at the European Championships. It is a strong field, with Uruguay’s sculler, winner of both World Cups, in top form. There are 16 entries, with heats progressing to the semi-finals.
Heat: Tuesday, 23rd September – from 3:29am IST
PR2 Mix2x | Tiarnan O’Donnell (Lee Rowing Club) & Sadhbh Ni Laoighre (Bantry Rowing Club)
Tiarnan O’Donnell and Sadhbh Ni Laoighre return following a third-place finish at the World Cup in Lucerne in the PR3 Mix2x which they were racing for classification purposes. Tiarnan also won gold in the PR2 M1x at the Varese World Cup. There are 10 entries, with heats progressing to A and B finals.
Heat: Wednesday, 24th September – from 3:05am IST
Mix2x | Mags Cremen (UCC Rowing Club) & Fintan McCarthy (Skibbereen Rowing Club)
Mags Cremen and Fintan McCarthy will race in the Mixed Double Sculls, marking the first time the event is contested at the World Championships. This official debut has attracted 11 entries, with heats progressing to A and B finals.
