Ciaran’s passion for the sport was ignited early, with both his parents having strong ties to rowing at Queen’s. Having taken part in a range of sports, Ciaran always came back to rowing.  

His years at school were marked by a growing commitment to the sport, and as he reached Upper 6th, it was Queen’s Rowing Club that he knew would be his next step. The club’s reputation for producing international-level athletes and his family’s connection to Queen’s made it the obvious choice for Ciaran. 

Balancing elite rowing with the rigorous demands of a Biochemistry degree was no easy task. However, Ciaran credits Queen’s Sport for providing critical support throughout his journey: 

“Queen’s Sport made it possible for me to balance my training and studies. With free gym memberships, nutritional guidance, physiotherapy, bursary funding, personal development opportunities, and academic flexibility, I was able to perform at the highest level academically and athletically.” 

Ciaran’s time at Queen’s taught him the importance of discipline, hard work, and belief. He reflects: 

“Without these, I wouldn’t have my degree or my World Championship gold medal.” 

Ciaran completed his final Biochemistry exam on 12 August 2024, and just a day later, flew to Canada for the World Rowing U23 Championships. Less than two weeks later, he was standing on the podium with a gold medal around his neck, reflecting on the past four years of intense training and preparation. 

Reflecting on his journey to this point, he said: 

“It’s clear that my time at Queen’s has been both the best and the hardest of my life. Training to become a World Champion while preparing for my final exams pushed me to my limits, forcing me to dig deep every day. But the experience taught me resilience and gave me memories I’ll cherish forever.” 

Looking ahead, Ciaran sees the road to the 2028 Olympics as a possibility. While the journey is long and uncertain, he remains dedicated to the sport, enjoying rowing as well as exploring new opportunities such as coaching through Rowing Ireland’s ‘Get Rowing’ initiative for schools. He is particularly enjoying giving back to the sport that has given him so much. 

Ciaran adds: 

“My journey has shown me the power of perseverance and passion. Whether on the water or in life, I’ve learned that with grit, belief, and a strong community around you, anything is possible.” 

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