The 2025 Irish Rowing Championships began under clear blue skies at the National Rowing Centre, with a light tailwind providing ideal conditions for a full day of exhilarating racing.
The morning featured standout performances in the Men’s and Women’s Senior Fours. In a thrilling finish, UCD clinched victory in the Men’s Senior Four, edging out Cork Boat Club by just 0.8 seconds. Trinity Ladies Boat Club took top honours in the Women’s Senior Four, narrowly defeating UCC Rowing Club by 0.7 seconds.
Jake McCarthy and Siobhán McCrohan delivered dominant performances in the lightweight single sculls, capturing championship titles in the men's and women’s events respectively.
Junior crews showcased exceptional talent throughout the day. Jack Rafferty of St. Michael’s Rowing Club triumphed in the Men’s Junior 18 Single Sculls, while Sophia Young of Methodist College Boat Club claimed the win in the Junior 18 Women’s Single Sculls. Shannon Rowing Club’s Women’s Junior 16 Coxed Quad also secured a well-earned victory. Meanwhile, the St. Michael’s Junior 18 Women’s Pair of Clodagh Phillips and Aida Hehir successfully defended their Irish Championship title in a closely contested race.
At midday, racing paused for the Finish Line Lunch, where the 1975 Women’s Quad was honoured, marking 50 years since the first Irish women’s crew competed at a World Championships. Taoiseach Micheál Martin presented the commemorative awards in a moment of historic recognition for Irish rowing.
In the evening session, brothers Jake and Fintan McCarthy of Skibbereen Rowing Club thrilled the crowd with a commanding win in the Men’s Double Sculls. The UCC Rowing Club Women’s Eight held off a strong challenge from UCD Boat Club to win the Women’s Intermediate Eights title.
The day concluded with trophy presentations for the winners. Rowing Ireland’s sponsors and event partners were in attendance to present awards and celebrate the outstanding achievements on the water.
Don’t forget to tune into TG4 this evening at 9:00pm for all the highlights from the day.
See all of Friday’s results and tomorrow’s schedule here or see the action through the daily livestreams here.
