Family row in after epic journey

IT was hugs and kisses all round yesterday for Ireland’s first Atlantic solo rower when he touched down on home soil after an epic 2,500 nautical mile journey through stormy seas.

After spending 118 days rowing from the Canary Islands to Antigua, being lashed by waves of up to 60ft, Sean McGowan was visibly moved when his wife, Lorraine, and their children rushed to rain hugs and kisses on the tanned but tired Limerick man.

Sipping champagne, the 42-year-old revealed that while his flight home from Antigua passed without any hitches, being delayed in London’s Heathrow airport meant his homeward journey wasn’t plain sailing either.