Ireland ready for stern test at World Rowing Cup in Spain
ELITE: Mags Cremen and Fintan McCarthy, who won gold at the World Championships last year, are in action this weekend in Spain. Picture: Detlev Seyb/INPHO
Rowing Ireland crews will return to international racing this weekend as selected athletes compete at the 2026 World Rowing Cup I in Seville, Spain.
The event, which starts on Friday, marks the opening regatta of the World Rowing Cup series and provides the first major senior international benchmark of the season.
Athletes from 37 nations will compete in Seville as crews begin an important international racing block ahead of the 2026 World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam later this summer.
The regatta is expected to feature highly competitive racing across a number of boat classes, including the women’s single scull, where Fiona Murtagh and Great Britain’s Lauren Henry are once again among the leading contenders following Murtagh’s dramatic 0.03 second victory at the 2025 World Championships in Shanghai.
In the men’s single scull, Fintan McCarthy lines up in one of the largest fields of the regatta, with 30 athletes entered for competition.
The event will provide an early-season indication of progress for many of Ireland’s High Performance athletes ahead of European Championship and World Championship racing later this season.
Murtagh will begin her 2026 campaign as the reigning World Champion.
The University of Galway Boat Club athlete enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2025 after transitioning to the single, claiming silver at both the European Championships in Plovdiv and World Rowing Cup II in Lucerne before producing a career-defining performance to win gold at the World Rowing Championships in Shanghai.
Murtagh’s World Championship victory added to an already distinguished international career, which includes Olympic bronze from Tokyo 2020, European Championship silver and consistent appearances at World Cup and World Championship level across multiple boat classes. Firmly established among the world’s leading women’s scullers, Seville marks the beginning of another season for one of Ireland’s most decorated athletes.
McCarthy is set to make his senior international heavyweight single scull debut in Seville as he continues his transition following the conclusion of lightweight Olympic rowing.
A double Olympic Champion and multiple World and European Champion, McCarthy made history by becoming the first Irish rower to win two Olympic gold medals. In 2025, McCarthy showed immediate promise at heavyweight level, winning European Championship bronze in the men’s double scull with Konan Pazzaia before securing two medals at the World Championships in Shanghai: bronze with Philip Doyle in the men’s double scull and gold alongside Mags Cremen in the newly introduced mixed double scull. Seville will mark another significant milestone as he lines up internationally in the heavyweight single for the first time.
Clements will race in the lightweight women’s single scull following continued progression through Ireland’s High Performance pathway.
The Edinburgh University Boat Club athlete has gained international experience through age-group competition and arrives in Seville as part of a new generation of Irish lightweight athletes transitioning towards senior international racing. World Rowing Cup I provides an important opportunity to test herself against established international opposition as she continues her development on the senior stage.
The men’s pair combines developing senior experience with a depth of international racing pedigree.
Murphy has continued to progress through Ireland’s High Performance pathway, securing Under 23 World Championship bronze in 2024 before stepping into senior competition across the 2025 European Championships, World Rowing Cup and World Championships in the men’s quadruple scull.
McQuillan-Tolan brings extensive international experience spanning more than a decade, having represented Ireland at Under 23, European and World Championship levels across multiple sweep boat classes. The pairing offers a blend of emerging talent and experienced race craft as they look to build speed and cohesion in one of rowing’s most technically demanding Olympic events.
This crew combines Olympic experience with emerging talent progressing through Ireland’s pathway system.
Bergin represented Ireland at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the women’s double scull and has built an impressive senior international résumé through World Championships, European Championships and World Cup competition. Bergin continued her progression in 2025 with appearances in both the women’s single scull and women’s quadruple scull at senior international level.
Young joins the crew following strong performances through Ireland’s U19 and U23 programmes, gaining experience at European and World Championship level while continuing her transition into senior competition. Seville provides an important opportunity for the combination to gain international racing experience together against established senior opposition.
Hyde and Cremen return to international racing as two of Ireland’s most experienced women’s scullers. Hyde represented Ireland at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and has consistently competed at World Championships, European Championships and World Cup level, securing top-four finishes across multiple senior international campaigns.
Cremen brings extensive international experience spanning Olympic, World Championship and European competition, while enjoying a standout 2025 season that included World Championship gold in the newly introduced mixed double scull alongside Fintan McCarthy. The pairing combines proven international race experience with recent championship success as they look to build momentum early in the 2026 season.
The women’s four combines significant Olympic and senior international experience with emerging talent.
Long and Magner return with extensive experience representing Ireland at the highest level, including selection for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and continued appearances across World Cups and World Championships.
Long brings a strong international résumé spanning World Championships, World Cups and European Championship medal success, having secured silver at the 2022 European Championships and bronze at World Rowing Cup II the same season. Magner has built considerable experience within Ireland’s senior programme, competing consistently in the women’s four across major international regattas in recent seasons.
Feerick adds considerable international experience spanning World Cups, European Championships, U23 silver medal success and coastal rowing competition, bringing depth to the crew across multiple rowing disciplines. Emma Fagan contributes emerging talent to the boat, having represented Ireland at U23 European level and in international coastal competition. The combination offers an exciting mix of experienced athletes and developing talent as they look to build momentum early in the international season.
The men’s quad combines proven senior international experience with emerging talent progressing through Ireland’s High Performance pathway.
Pazzaia returns following a standout 2025 season which included European Championship and World Rowing Cup bronze medals in the men’s double scull alongside Fintan McCarthy, before racing the men’s single scull at the World Championships in Shanghai.
Sheehan brings growing senior experience following appearances across the 2025 World Cup, European Championship and World Championship campaigns, alongside previous U23 World Championship medal success.
Spelman contributes valuable international experience through Ireland’s U23 programme and continued development within university rowing, while O’Grady arrives as one of Ireland’s emerging sculling talents following Under 23 World Championship bronze in 2025 and strong performances at European U23 level. The crew offers an exciting blend of established international racers and developing athletes as they look to build speed and cohesion early in the senior season.
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