Local rowers claim World Championship bronze
Martin O'Grady and Donagh Claffey secured a bronze medal at the U-23 World Rowing Championships.
Kiltoom’s Martin O'Grady and his rowing partner Donagh Claffey brought home a bronze medal for Ireland in the Men’s Double Scull final at the U-23 World Rowing Championships.
Martin and Donagh, who are both alumni of Athlone Boat Club delivered a performance of immense courage and control in what was without doubt one of the most competitive and closely fought finals of the regatta.
With a mere 2.5 seconds separating all six boats at the finish line, they showed not only speed and raw power but incredible composure on the world stage.
The Irish set a blistering pace off the start and led to the 1000m mark with France and Italy in hot pursuit. At the halfway point immense pressure came as Portugal and Italy surged to take second and third position but France, Germany and Lithuania all remained within striking distance which set the scene for an epic second half of the race.
With 500m to go Portugal edged into the lead with Italy on the charge taking second position.
What followed was an absolute epic sprint to the line. Italy crossed first to take gold, Germany snatched silver, and Ireland held their nerve to secure bronze by a margin of just 0.01seconds behind Germany in an incredible photo finish.
After the race Claffey stated: “It was a very quick race before we knew it, it was over and we had our nose in the right spot on the line”
O’Grady said he called a push in the third quarter: “It stung a lot but when you are in that position you can push yourself to further limits than you think you are capable of – he (Claffey) is a strong guy, and we left it all out there. We just held on.”
