The person who motivates and inspires you and why?

I think the first person that showed me I could do really well in rowing was David Hussey. He is a rower from Kerry who has competed at every World Coastal Rowing Championship since 2015. At my first ever regatta in Portmagee in 2021, I watched Hussey rowing and I remember thinking that he, like myself, was quite short for a rower, but he was unreal and I thought well if he can do it, so can I. Ever since that day, he has been continuously supportive of my training and competition and is always happy to give any advice I need. Of course I have to give credit to my outstanding coaches, Mr Maguire, Luke Keaney and Patrick Brady who have put countless hours into my development, both as a person and as a rower. They have all pushed me well beyond my limits and although at times, I wanted them to leave me alone, every minute of time they contributed to my training has helped me improve and grow into the person I am today.

My favourite subject at school is Irish. I love learning our national language and I am proud to be able to speak and understand it. Sometimes during races, my coaches will give me instruction through Irish and it pushes me on so much. The meaning of Irish to me is so important. As a part of our heritage, I think it is great to be able to understand the language. 

Sometimes during races, my coaches will give me instruction through Irish and it pushes me on so much.

Life after sport, what are your intentions and what steps have you taken to convince you of this?

To tell the truth, I don’t think I’ll ever have a life after sports. It is a huge part of my life and I don't know what I'd do without it. I’ve watched men and women compete in rowing right through to their 80s and even 90s and that’s what I aspire to do, if I’m lucky enough to have the fitness to do so. Aside from that, I will always be a coach at Donegal Bay Rowing Club. I have already undertaken the first step on the Rowing Ireland coaching pathway with the Introduction to Coaching course and I am going to complete my Level 1 course after my 5th year exams. I love coaching the club juniors and passing on any valuable information I have received while racing internationally. It’s such a good feeling pushing on other club members and then to see them progressing and going on to win medals 

One of the most important things I have learned from competing for my club and country is how important sportsmanship really is. 

You can be a strong rower with excellent technique but you will always be remembered for your attitude to teammates, competitors and race officials.