Ireland’s newest world champions arrived home to a rousing welcome in Co Cork last night.
Zoe Hyde and Margaret Cremen won gold in the women’s double sculls at the World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam, while Fiona Murtagh also brought home silver in the women’s single sculls.
Their friends and family rowed in at Cork Airport last night to celebrate the historic achievements.
Declan Cremen, father of Margaret, said he was “very, very proud” of his daughter’s accomplishment.
“It’s just a well-deserved welcome back for her. She’s had a great year and worked very hard for us, both herself and Zoe are just tremendous. They never give up,” he said.
Deirdre Leahy is a friend of Zoe Hyde and a member of the Killorglin Rowing Club, Co Kerry.
“It’s amazing. It’s such a fantastic achievement and so delighted to have her here with her medal and a dream come true,” she said.
Zoe Hyde’s mother, Fiona, said it has been a tumultuous journey for the now world champion.
“I’m very proud. Zoe started rowing at 13. There’s been a lot of downs, many more downs than ups, but the ups outweigh the downs, so it’s been brilliant,” she said.
Mark Hyde, Zoe’s father, said watching the race was emotional.
“It was such a wonderful race and they did so well and I’m really proud of them. I cried at the end,” he said.
Hyde and Cremen row for Tralee Rowing Club in Co Kerry and Lee Rowing Club in Co Cork, respectively.
Their World Championship gold capped a remarkable week for Irish rowing, with Cremen also taking home silver alongside Konan Pazzaia in the mixed double sculls.
Fiona Murtagh also claimed silver in the women’s single sculls.
“We’re still on cloud nine, I can’t believe this is happening,” Hyde said.
“Usually, we come back and we’re just trying to get a taxi, so this is unbelievable to have such a warm welcome, and we’re grateful.”
Hyde said the pair have been having “pinch me” moments since the victory.
“We haven’t been able to sleep after it … it’s been our lifetime dream, so to be able to achieve it is surreal,” she added.
Cremen said seeing their families and friends dressed in club gear to greet them has been “unbelievable”.
“It just means so much because they’ve just supported us down through all of the years and it’s just so nice to celebrate this moment with them … it’s going to take a while to sink in, but I’m just so proud of us really,” she said.
While celebrations are just beginning, attention now turns to next year’s World Championships in Lucerne, Switzerland where Olympic qualification will be on the line.
That competition is firmly in the sights of women’s single scull silver medallist Fiona Murtagh.
“From the day that we first learned to pick up an oar to moments like this … it’s been a long journey and it takes a village and it’s great that we were able to bring this back for everyone else and it’s so exciting,” Murtagh said.
“It’s a lot to look forward to right now for the next two years. The stakes are being raised again even further, but we’re in a really good place right now, so it’s exciting,” she added.