‘Medals are won in the intensive training on Inniscarra lake’

The lead-up to the Olympics means long hours of training for women’s double sculls rower Zoë Hyde – but pizza and Netflix play their part too, writes John Daly

Zoe Hyde will compete in the double sculls with Alison Bergin. Photo: Karl Bridgeman / Sportsfile.

On a glorious June afternoon, the waters of Inniscarra Lake invite the imagination to conjure lazy summer images of peaceful strolls by the shoreline. No such languid thoughts, however, for Zoë Hyde as she pulls mightily on her oars to power across the water — another day pushing her body to the limit in preparation for the ultimate prize.

The National Rowing Centre is the epicentre of Irish rowing, set in a scenic corner of the Cork countryside where dreams of Olympic glory are fashioned into a sterling reality.