Natalie Long: 'You don’t have to step on necks to get gold'

Rowing has, after all, been Ireland’s most successful sport across the last three Games with five of the country’s 13 medals. Whatever about doing things ‘better’, it will be very different when the 2025 European Championship launches in Plovdiv this week.

The W4- of Eimear Lambe (Old Collegians BC), Tara Hanlon (UCC), Aifric Keogh (DULBC), and Natalie Long (Killorglin RC). Photo: World Rowing

One thought crystallised in Natalie Long’s mind as soon as she crossed the finishing line in Paris last year. That thought was LA in four years’ time. It really was that instantaneous. A decision borne of utter clarity.

‘Winning’ the B final and finishing seventh overall in the women’s four hadn’t been the plan. This was a boat with two Olympic medallists in Eimear Lambe and Emily Hegarty in it, but it wasn’t just the knowledge that injuries and life had in general had held their bid back.