Fintan McCarthy's success in a post-Olympic year, that included a change in weight class, has been nothing short of impressive.
The 28-year-old claimed bronze in his first heavyweight competition at the European Rowing Championships in May and backed that up by adding global bronze with a new partner in China last week.
The Skibbereen native admitted it has been a year of change.
"It's been a funny year in terms of transitioning to a different bow class... It's still the double, but it's a different weight class. And that post-Olympic year is always tricky," McCarthy told RTÉ Sport.
The double Olympic champion holds himself to a high standard and explained that there was some disappointment to cross in third place with his new partner, and fellow Olympic medallist, Phillip Doyle.
"To be honest, delighted with the results. I think we probably hold ourselves to that gold standard a lot. So the bronze is a little bit bittersweet, but I'm still really proud of it.
"In the space of time that we had together, it was a pretty solid result and shows promise for the heavyweight future."
Since 2019 McCarthy was paired with Paul O'Donovan in the lightweight double sculls.
The duo managed two Olympic golds, but with the removal of the weight class from the Olympics post 2024 there has been a shift, which has at times been challenging for McCarthy.
"Paul and I were obviously so used to each other after all the years and everything was pretty seamless. I've had a few different partners this year, but it's more about learning, learning that how that partnership is going to work and probably accepting that it's not going to be the same.
"I guess we had a bit of a protocol or a formula that we just plug ourselves into previously, whereas that obviously isn't going to work for, for everyone."
It was a September to remember for some of Ireland's finest, reports Jacqui Hurley. Fintan McCarthy and Aoife O'Rourke reflect on their successful feats of becoming world champions in their respective sports of rowing and boxing, alongside their siblings who also medalled. pic.twitter.com/8tm2oX4fZC
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 2, 2025
There have been further changes in the sport, as World Rowing following the likes of athletics and swimming, have introduced mixed gender events, which were trialled for the first time at last month's world championships.
McCarthy claimed Ireland's second gold of the competition in the mixed double sculls alongside fellow former lightweight rower Mags Cremen.
"It's a new event this year. World rowing have introduced the mixed double skulls and the mixed eight at world championships. So we kind of said earlier in the season that we might give it a go.
"Mags and I have obviously been on the same team for a long time. It was just nice to actually be in a boat with her for once.
"It's such a novel event and a novel thing to be rowing with a woman. And obviously for her to be rowing with a man. We actually were joking about how quick the time was.
"It was not far off me and Phil in the final of the men's boat. I think it was a good bit quicker than the women's world record as well."
In what was a bumper month of sport for Ireland, with Aoife O'Rourke claiming gold and Kate O'Connor taking silver in their respective world championships, as well as Fiona Murtagh adding to Rowing Ireland's tally in China, there was another McCarthy on the podium.
McCarthy's twin brother Jake took bronze in the lightweight single sculls, which are still taking place at rowing only events, which he explained was a proud moment as his sibling has as overcome a lot in the last few years.
"It was epic to be honest. I think we were probably all more delighted than he was.
"That was his first, his first ever world medal, whether you're looking at Europeans, World Cup, World Championships, like that was his first ever one.
"We actually lost our voices for the race for our own race the next day, but we couldn't miss it. You know, I think Jake is one of those people that has been there for all of us along the last few years.
"He's had to deal with some pretty tough knocks himself in terms of like injury and, and selections. And he never complains. He lives with us, trains with us.
"Supporting him on the day when he got his first (global medal) was pretty special.
The McCarthy brothers were finally able to return home to Skibbereen after their medal moments in Shanghai.
"We don't get back too much in the midst of training, even though it's quite close...Everyone's so proud of us."
