PICTURES: Gold galore for Limerick at World Rowing Masters Regatta in Spain

THE Irish Women’s Masters Rowers  returned from the 2025 World Rowing Masters Regatta in Banyoles, Spain, with an extraordinary 20 gold medals and 25 wins earlier this month.

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The regatta, which was held from September 10-14, was the largest masters rowing event in the world this year, attracting over 5,000 athletes from 55 countries.

With 5,428 entries across 745 clubs worldwide, against this backdrop of fierce international competition, the Irish women’s crews delivered a dominant performance.

A squad of 25 women, aged between 32 and 74, travelled from Ireland and raced in 24 events, emerging victorious in 20 of them.

Many athletes competed in multiple races across the four-day regatta, underlining the depth of experience, endurance, and teamwork within the group.

Among the Irish crew that travelled to Spain were several Limerick representatives.

Sheila Clavin and Vanessa Lawrenson, of St Michael's Rowing Club, in Limerick both won nine gold medals – the most ever by an Irish female rower at the World Masters Regatta, and the highest tally of any female athlete at this year’s event.

Castleconnell Boat Club's John Dillon, Eoghan Meskell and Vincent Carroll were also part of the winning mixed eight team.

There was even more Limerick representation on the winning mixed eight team with Brian O’Shaughnessy from University of Limerick Rowing Club (ULRC) and Méabh McNamara, who is also a ULRC member, was one of the squad coxes.

Méabh also steered the Castleconnell/ULRC 4’s crew into a credible second place into separate races. St Michael's took home even more silverware thanks to Asia Pasinska. The St Michael's rower won three medals overall, two in the eights category and one in the double scull category.

Other standout performances included Fiola Foley (Killorglin RC, 6 wins), Sophie Connolly (Commercial RC, 6 wins), Kate Rooney (OCBC, 5 wins), Naomi Fearon (OCBC, 5 wins), Eimear Moran (Commercial RC, 5 wins), Sally Cudmore (Cork Boat Club, 5 wins), Breanna Larsen (OCBC, 4 wins), and Paula Maloney (Tralee RC, 4 wins).

Irish rowing was well represented in Spain. Among the Irish clubs represented were St. Michael’s RC, Commercial RC, Killorglin RC, Old Collegians BC, Clonmel RC, Belfast BC, Lee BC, Tralee RC, Tribesmen RC, Skibbereen RC, Cork Boat Club, and Shandon BC.

Gillian Carolan, of the Tribesmen Rowing Club, Galway, was overjoyed with the success of the various Irish teams.

"This result shows the incredible depth of women’s masters rowing in Ireland, both in sculling and sweep rowing. To compete against the best female masters athletes in the world, many of whom have competed in the Olympics and World Championships, and come home with 20 gold medals is incredible," she said.

"We made the Irish rowing community proud," Gillian added.

The success in Banyoles highlights the strength of Irish masters rowing and reflects the continued growth of the sport across the country.

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