Ireland's newest world champions get heroes' homecoming

Ireland's newest world champions returned home to a triumphant reception in County Cork late Monday evening, marking a historic milestone for Irish rowing. Zoe Hyde and Margaret Cremen secured gold in the women’s double sculls at the World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam, while Fiona Murtagh earned silver in the women’s single sculls. Their arrival at Cork Airport was met with cheers and celebration from friends, family, and supporters who gathered to honor their accomplishments. The athletes were greeted by loved ones clad in club colors, reflecting the deep community support behind their success. Declan Cremen, father of Margaret, expressed immense pride in his daughter’s achievement, calling it a “well-deserved welcome.” He praised both Zoe and Margaret for their perseverance throughout the season. “They never give up,” he said, emphasizing their dedication and resilience. Zoe Hyde’s mother, Fiona, described the journey to becoming a world champion as “tumultuous,” noting that Zoe began rowing at age 13 and faced numerous challenges along the way. Despite the difficulties, she acknowledged that the positive moments ultimately prevailed. “It’s been brilliant,” she said, expressing pride in her daughter’s accomplishments. Zoe’s father, Mark Hyde, shared emotional reflections on watching the race unfold. “It was such a wonderful race and they did so well,” he said, adding that the experience left him moved to tears. Both Hyde and Cremen compete for different clubs, Hyde represents Tralee Rowing Club in County Kerry, while Cremen rows for Lee Rowing Club in County Cork. The victory marked a standout week for Irish rowing, with Cremen also securing silver in the mixed double sculls alongside Konan Pazzaia. Fiona Murtagh’s silver in the women’s single sculls further underscored the nation’s strong performance at the championships. Hyde expressed disbelief at the overwhelming reception upon returning home. “Usually, we come back and we’re just trying to get a taxi, so this is unbelievable to have such a warm welcome,” she said. The athletes described experiencing “pinch me” moments since their victory, highlighting how surreal it felt to achieve their lifelong dreams. Cremen marveled at the sight of her family and friends dressed in club gear to greet her. “It just means so much because they’ve just supported us down through all of the years,” she said, acknowledging the unwavering encouragement she received over the years. She admitted it would take time to fully process the significance of the moment, but emphasized her pride in the team’s efforts. With the celebrations ongoing, focus is shifting toward next year’s World Championships in Lucerne, Switzerland, where Olympic qualification will be determined. Fiona Murtagh, who secured silver in the women’s single sculls, is already looking ahead to the challenge. “It’s a lot to look forward to right now for the next two years,” she said, acknowledging the increased stakes but expressing confidence in the team’s current position. Murtagh reflected on the long journey from learning to handle an oar to achieving international recognition. “It takes a village,” she said, crediting the collective effort behind the athletes’ success. As the team prepares for future competitions, the recent triumph serves as a powerful motivator for continued excellence in the sport.