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22 Oct 2025

Limerick's Tiarnán O'Donnell 'hooked' on Para Rowing after Paralympics experience in Paris

Boher native O'Donnell and Galway partner Katie O'Brien finished second in the 'B' Final of the PR2 Mixed Double Sculls

Limerick's Tiarnan O'Donnell 'hooked' on Para Rowing after Paralympics experience in Paris

Limerick's Tiarnán O'Donnell, left, and partner Katie O'Brien in action during the PR2 mixed double sculls at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

Reporter:

Colm Kinsella, Sports Editor

02 Sept 2024 9:11 AM

Email:

ckinsella@limerickleader.ie

LIMERICK rower Tiarnán O'Donnell and Galway partner Katie O'Brien finished second in the B Final of the PR2 Mixed Double Sculls at the Paralympic Games in Paris.
The Irish crew finish behind the Netherlands and ahead of Turkey who took third. With Ukraine taking home gold, ahead of Poland and Great Britain in the A Final, Team Ireland can be proud of an eighth-place finish overall. 
Twenty six-year-old Limerick native O'Donnell, from Boher, initially made a name for himself as one of Ireland’s top wheelchair basketball players. He has won several national titles and cups with his local team, the Limerick Celtics and has also won national player of the year awards as well as European All-Star awards.
He captained the Irish U23 Wheelchair Basketball team to the medal podium in Finland in 2023.
He transitioned to rowing through the PTSB NextGen programme and moved to Cork to base himself closer to the National Rowing Centre. His rapid progress and natural talent have earned him a place alongside Katie to compete in Paris in the PR2 Mixed Double Sculls.
 
Speaking after Sunday's B Final race, both said they were tired and ready to enjoy some time off but are grateful they have an amazing time. 
 
A tearful Tiarnán O’Donnell said: "The experience overall has been so intense and a bit of a blur, we will take time to look back and plan for what's ahead but now it's time to enjoy being Paralympians and I'm looking forward to getting to see some other sports.
Tiarnán added: "I have no words, all the people who have supported Katie and I over the past year is unreal and I am so grateful. So many people got us here and I am delighted that we are on the same stage as Olympians, we are Paralympians and we hope that others are inspired to take up Para Rowing. It's a fantastic sport and I am hooked." 
Katie O’Brien said: "We have to be happy with ourselves, we know it's not the dream finish but there are so many positives to take from this."   
 
Of the support, Katie said, "My heart actually hurts from the love and support we have gotten over these past few days. To see family, friends and neighbours, I couldn't believe it and I will never forget those moments. "  
 
 

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