Super Sunday for Irish rowers with double gold at World Championships

Brilliant Irish climax in Shanghai as Fiona Murtagh claims gold in women's Single Sculls and then, 30 minutes later, Mags Cremen and Fintan McCarthy added a second gold in the Mixed Double Sculls

SUPER SUNDAY: Ireland's Mags Cremen and Fintan McCarthy celebrate winning gold in the Mixed Double Scull final at the World Rowing Championships in Shanghai, China. Pic: Benedict Tufnell/Sportsfile

Rowing Ireland celebrated a historic golden final day at the World Rowing Championships in Shanghai, claiming two gold medals in thrilling style. Fiona Murtagh stormed to victory in the Women’s Single Sculls, while just two races later Mags Cremen and Fintan McCarthy added a second gold in the Mixed Double Sculls.

Galway's Murtagh delivered a sensational performance to win gold in the Women’s Single Sculls. Leading from the early stages, she maintained a two-second advantage over the field for much of the race. In a dramatic finish, Great Britain’s Lauren Henry mounted a late challenge, but a photo finish confirmed Fiona as World Champion in a time of 07:12.27 — just 0.03 seconds ahead.