Athlone duo win bronze medals in World Championships
There is cause for enormous pride in Athlone Boat Club and indeed the wider area this weekend as Martin O'Grady and Donagh Claffey brought home a bronze medal for Ireland at the U23 World Rowing Championships in Poznan, Poland.
Competing in the U23 men’s double sculls on Saturday, Martin and Donagh, 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. Their result marked Ireland’s only podium of the championships and one of the closest finishes of the event.
The Irish duo (representing University of Galway) set a blistering pace from the start and led to the 1000m 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 setting 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. Claffey and O’Grady were pushed into third place but remained firmly in medal contention as all crews charged into the final 250m.
What followed was an absolute epic sprint to the line with all six crews driving towards the finish line in search of the podium finish in what is likely to be one of the closest U23 finals for a long time. 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.
“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,” said Claffey from Fardrum, Athlone.
Reflecting on the effort involved in the third quarter, Kiltoom native O’Grady said: 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."
Congratulating Claffey and O'Grady, Athlone Boat Club said: "For the club, this moment is much more than just a medal, it’s the culmination of years of hard work and commitment for Martin and Donagh.
"From their first strokes on the river Shannon, from junior scullers at local and national and international level to standout college athletes to now U23 medal winning internationals, their journey is a shining example to every young rower in our club who steps into a boat in Athlone. No matter how big your dreams are, they start at home."
Donagh Claffey's brother Rían is also an accomplished rower who has represented Ireland.
Martin O'Grady’s younger sister Anna is also an up and coming rower, who has been selected on the U19 Irish team for the U19 World Rowing Championships next month in Trakai, Lithuania.