The Irish junior rowing squad delivered an outstanding series of performances at the 2025 World Rowing U19 Championships.
The regatta brought together over 594 of the world’s best young athletes from 47 nations. Three Athlone Boat Club athletes playing a starring role in Ireland’s success story.
Rockett & O’Grady Making History in the Women’s Coxless Four
The Irish Women’s Coxless fours was the last boat to be finalised by Rowing Ireland after much trialling and speed testing.
Unlike Ireland’s other boats, the women’s four did not compete at the European Junior Championships earlier this season. Making their debut together on the world stage in Trakai.
Despite the challenge, they produced some of the most exciting racing and one of the closest semi-finals of the event narrowly missing out on a coveted A Final spot by just 0.16 seconds.
Determined to finish on a high, Rockett and O’Grady, alongside crewmates Isabella Wright (Enniskillen) and Clóda Phillips (St Michaels Rowing Club).
They led for much of the race before being pipped into second place by Croatia, securing eighth place in the world.
This was a landmark achievement with Anna and Sarah being the first female athletes from Athlone Boat Club to have represented Ireland at a World Rowing Championships and the first time Rowing Ireland has sent a Women’s coxless four to the U19 World Championships.
Heaslip’s Strong Finish in the Men’s Coxless Four
Richard Heaslip added to Athlone’s presence on the world stage for the second time this Summer in the Men’s Coxless Four with teammates Daniel Crozier, Tommy Little, and Paul Schofield.
The crew battled through the heats and semi-finals before producing a spirited B final performance, finishing 4th to take 10th place overall.
Historic gold for Ireland
The championships also saw a groundbreaking moment for Irish rowing, as Jonah Kirby of Kenmare Rowing Club and Jack Rafferty from St Michaels powered to victory in the Junior Men’s Double Sculls. Their dominant performance secured Ireland’s first ever U19 World Championship gold medal.
A Proud Moment for Athlone Boat Club
With three Athlone athletes Heaslip, Rockett & O’Grady, the 2025 U19 World Championships marked one of the club’s most successful international outings to date.
Their achievements, alongside Ireland’s wider success, are a testament to the dedication of the athletes and families, their coaches, and the club’s growing reputation in Irish rowing.
Coaching Excellence At Home and Abroad
Athlone’s successes in Trakai and in the recent Coupe De la Jeunesse Regatta was not only about the athletes themselves, it is also a triumph for the coaches who have guided them.
Fergus Hannon, now with valuable experience as an international coach, brought his experience to the Irish team setup for the third year in a row.
His involvement on the world stage is a source of great pride for our club.
But equally important is the coaching foundation that is laid at home. The years of work that go into developing junior rowers often starting from their first tentative strokes on the River Shannon form the backbone of these achievements.
Paul Donovan another one of the clubs longest serving coaches has been hugely influential in shaping many of the athletes and their recent successes, his coaching impact stretching back to the early days of our international standout athletes Martin O’Grady and Donagh Claffey.
The dedication of the club’s coaching team led by coaches like Fergie and Paul has built the pathway that makes world-class performances possible.
Other coaches involved in recent years with our international athletes include Aisling Flanagan, Alan Kenny, Paul Lynam, Matthew Lough, Gemma Kiely, Kenny Colsh, Sandra Cunningham Pam Egan and Ciaran Donovan.
A Proud Moment for Athlone Boat Club
With three junior Athlone athletes competing on the world stage for the first time, two competing at the Coupe de la Jeunesse Regatta.
Two of our alumni Martin and Donagh brought home a bronze medal from the U23 World Championships.
The 2025 international racing season marks one of the club’s proudest international chapters.
These results reflect not only the talent and determination of the athletes but also the years of quiet, persistent work that make moments like this possible.
The 2024/2025 season is now officially over, and club captain Deirdre Feary extends her congratulations to all athletes who represented the club so proudly and at all levels over the season and sends her thanks to everyone who has so generously supported our club.
We look forward to a well-earned rest and coming back in a few weeks to do it all again!
