University Of Galway Rowers Head to Seville for World Cup 1

University of Galway Rowers return to international racing this weekend as part of the Rowing Ireland team as selected athletes compete at the 2026 World Rowing Cup I in Seville, Spain, from 29 to 31 May.

The event marks the opening regatta of the World Rowing Cup series and provides the first major senior international benchmark of the season.

Athletes from 37 nations will compete in Seville as crews begin an important international racing block ahead of the 2026 World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam later this summer. The regatta is expected to feature highly competitive racing across a number of boat classes, including the women’s single scull, where Fiona Murtagh and Great Britain’s Lauren Henry are once again among the leading contenders following Murtagh’s dramatic 0.03 second victory at the 2025 World Championships in Shanghai. In the men’s single scull, Fintan McCarthy lines up in one of the largest fields of the regatta, with 30 athletes entered for competition.

Held at the La Cartuja High Performance Centre, World Rowing Cup I will bring together many of the world’s leading rowing nations as crews continue preparations towards a busy summer programme. The event will provide an early-season indication of progress for many of Ireland’s High Performance athletes ahead of European Championship and World Championship racing later this season.

The following crews have been selected to represent Rowing Ireland at World Rowing Cup I:

Women’s Single Scull (W1x)

Fiona Murtagh (University of Galway Boat Club)

Fiona Murtagh will begin her 2026 campaign as the reigning World Champion in the Women’s Single Scull (W1x). The University of Galway Boat Club athlete enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2025 after transitioning to the single, claiming silver at both the European Championships in Plovdiv and World Rowing Cup II in Lucerne before producing a career-defining performance to win gold at the World Rowing Championships in Shanghai. Murtagh’s World Championship victory added to an already distinguished international career, which includes Olympic bronze from Tokyo 2020, European Championship silver and consistent appearances at World Cup and World Championship level across multiple boat classes. Firmly established among the world’s leading women’s scullers, Seville marks the beginning of another season for one of Ireland’s most decorated athletes.

Men’s Single Scull (M1x)

Fintan McCarthy (Skibbereen Rowing Club)

Fintan McCarthy is set to make his senior international heavyweight single scull debut in Seville as he continues his transition following the conclusion of lightweight Olympic rowing. A double Olympic Champion and multiple World and European Champion, McCarthy made history by becoming the first Irish rower to win two Olympic gold medals. In 2025, McCarthy showed immediate promise at heavyweight level, winning European Championship bronze in the men’s double scull with Konan Pazzaia before securing two medals at the World Championships in Shanghai: bronze with Philip Doyle in the men’s double scull and gold alongside Mags Cremen in the newly introduced mixed double scull. Seville will mark another significant milestone as he lines up internationally in the heavyweight single for the first time.

Lightweight Women’s Single Scull (LW1x)

Izzy Clements (Tara Rowing Club & Edinburgh University Boat Club)

Izzy Clements will race in the lightweight women’s single scull following continued progression through Ireland’s High Performance pathway. The Edinburgh University Boat Club athlete has gained international experience through age-group competition and arrives in Seville as part of a new generation of Irish lightweight athletes transitioning towards senior international racing. World Rowing Cup I provides an important opportunity to test herself against established international opposition as she continues her development on the senior stage.

Men’s Pair (M2-)

Adam Murphy (UCC RC/Shandon BC) & Fionnán McQuillan-Tolan (Cork Boat Club)

The men’s pair combines developing senior experience with a depth of international racing pedigree. Adam Murphy has continued to progress through Ireland’s High Performance pathway, securing Under 23 World Championship bronze in 2024 before stepping into senior competition across the 2025 European Championships, World Rowing Cup and World Championships in the men’s quadruple scull. Fionnán McQuillan-Tolan brings extensive international experience spanning more than a decade, having represented Ireland at Under 23, European and World Championship levels across multiple sweep boat classes. The pairing offers a blend of emerging talent and experienced race craft as they look to build speed and cohesion in one of rowing’s most technically demanding Olympic events.

Women’s Double Scull 2 (W2x)

Alison Bergin (Fermoy Rowing Club) & Sophia Young (Methodist College Belfast Rowing Club)

This crew combines Olympic experience with emerging talent progressing through Ireland’s pathway system. Alison Bergin represented Ireland at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the women’s double scull and has built an impressive senior international résumé through World Championships, European Championships and World Cup competition. Bergin continued her progression in 2025 with appearances in both the women’s single scull and women’s quadruple scull at senior international level. Sophia Young joins the crew following strong performances through Ireland’s Under 19 and Under 23 programmes, gaining experience at European and World Championship level while continuing her transition into senior competition. Seville provides an important opportunity for the combination to gain international racing experience together against established senior opposition.

Women’s Double Scull 1 (W2x)

Zoe Hyde (Tralee Rowing Club) & Mags Cremen (Lee Rowing Club)
Zoe Hyde and Mags Cremen return to international racing as two of Ireland’s most experienced women’s scullers. Hyde represented Ireland at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and has consistently competed at World Championships, European Championships and World Cup level, securing top-four finishes across multiple senior international campaigns. Cremen brings extensive international experience spanning Olympic, World Championship and European competition, while enjoying a standout 2025 season that included World Championship gold in the newly introduced mixed double scull alongside Fintan McCarthy. The pairing combines proven international race experience with recent championship success as they look to build momentum early in the 2026 season.

Women’s Four (W4-)

Natalie Long (Lee Valley Rowing Club), Claire Feerick (Oxford Brookes & Neptune Rowing Club), Emma Fagan (University of Galway Boat Club) & Imogen Magner (Lee Valley Rowing Club)

The women’s four combines significant Olympic and senior international experience with emerging talent. Natalie Long and Imogen Magner return with extensive experience representing Ireland at the highest level, including selection for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and continued appearances across World Cups and World Championships. Long brings a strong international résumé spanning World Championships, World Cups and European Championship medal success, having secured silver at the 2022 European Championships and bronze at World Rowing Cup II the same season. Magner has built considerable experience within Ireland’s senior programme, competing consistently in the women’s four across major international regattas in recent seasons. Claire Feerick adds considerable international experience spanning World Cups, European Championships, Under 23 silver medal success and coastal rowing competition, bringing depth to the crew across multiple rowing disciplines. Emma Fagan contributes emerging talent to the boat, having represented Ireland at Under 23 European level and in international coastal competition. The combination offers an exciting mix of experienced athletes and developing talent as they look to build momentum early in the international season.

Men’s Quad Scull (M4x)

Konan Pazzaia (Queen’s University Belfast Boat Club), Andrew Sheehan (UCC RC/Lee RC), Ryan Spelman (Oxford Brookes & St Michael’s Rowing Club) & Martin O’Grady (University of Galway Boat Club & Athlone Boat Club)

The men’s quad combines proven senior international experience with emerging talent progressing through Ireland’s High Performance pathway. Konan Pazzaia returns following a standout 2025 season which included European Championship and World Rowing Cup bronze medals in the men’s double scull alongside Fintan McCarthy, before racing the men’s single scull at the World Championships in Shanghai. Andrew Sheehan brings growing senior experience following appearances across the 2025 World Cup, European Championship and World Championship campaigns, alongside previous Under 23 World Championship medal success. Ryan Spelman contributes valuable international experience through Ireland’s Under 23 programme and continued development within university rowing, while Martin O’Grady arrives as one of Ireland’s emerging sculling talents following Under 23 World Championship bronze in 2025 and strong performances at European Under 23 level. The crew offers an exciting blend of established international racers and developing athletes as they look to build speed and cohesion early in the senior season.

Interim CEO of Rowing Ireland Matt McKerrow said:

“World Rowing Cup I marks an important step in the progression of our High Performance programme this season. It is exciting to see a mix of experienced Olympians, World Championship medallists and developing athletes representing Rowing Ireland on the international stage. We look forward to following the racing across the weekend and supporting the continued development of these crews as the season progresses.”

Racing in Seville will take place across three days, with crews progressing through heats and subsequent qualification rounds before finals, in line with World Rowing’s updated progression system introduced in 2025.

Support staff travelling with the team include coaches Dominic Casey, Denise Walsh, Ed Hartery and Miles Taylor, alongside wider High Performance support personnel working across physiology, nutrition, athlete services and performance delivery.

Follow the action from WC1, Seville on Friday 29th May – Live Audio & Live Tracker

Live video streaming on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st May – Live Stream