Champion rower Ailish Sheehan dies days after freak fall

One of Ireland’s brightest future hopes in world rowing, has died six days after sustaining critical head injuries in a fall, only hours after winning a bronze medal at the FISU World University Rowing Championships, in Poznan, Poland.

Ailish Sheehan, 23, from Kildimo, Co Limerick, suffered catastrophic injuries after she slipped and fell while out celebrating her victory with friends.

Last Sunday, Ailish and the rest of her teammates, Rebecca Edwards, Annie Withers, and Gillian Cooper, came third for Great Britain in the Women’s Senior Coxed Fours. Having secured dual citizenship, the rising sports star had rowed for both Ireland and England.