Since it first emerged on the Irish rowing scene, the Irish Indoor Rowing Championship (IIRC) has seen some of Ireland’s strongest and most resilient rowers compete in a competition like no other. This Saturday, some of the nation’s finest junior rowers will sit down on an erg and unanimously pick up their handles to go to war with each other in a battle for glory. With 66 entrants in total, the category has substantially lost a significant cohort of athletes, as last year’s entry total in this category was 169, resulting in 103 fewer athletes than previously. However, that doesn’t matter, as each athlete will be vying to beat their personal best and obtain victory over their rivals, regardless of the number of competitors.
I believe that this category will undoubtedly be one of exceptional talent, with an array of clubs being represented. This race is certainly going to be the most exciting of the Indoor Championships for all junior rowers and spectators. With familiar names competing, it’s going to be a spectacle to watch unfold right in front of us.
Mattias Cogan – Skibbereen Rowing Club
Though he is Skibbereen RC’s only entrant into the category, Cogan seems to have the odds in his favour, being the reigning champion in the event. In 2024, he set a new national record in the 2k as a Junior 16 and last year added to his records with another as Junior 18 in the 2k event. With an array of experience from the past year, there is a possibility that we may see him return not only to claim his title but also to set another record. Having a successful record so far, including competing at the U19 World Rowing Championships in both 2024 & 2025, third place finish in the junior single scull at the Irish Rowing Championships and, of course, his impressive performance on the erg and the water on multiple other occasions, he is going to be hard to stop.
Harry McCartney – Methodist College Belfast RC
McCartney, having an imposing rowing record on and off the water, will be vying to finally seize a podium position after placing fourth at the indoors last year. Only being less than one second off third place, I firmly believe that he will finally climb into medal position this year, with the possibility that he may apply pressure upon Mattias Cogan. McCartney’s experience from international racing may also prove beneficial. He has a very impressive history, with a 2k time as a Junior 16 that is better than most Junior 18 rowers. At that time, he also placed third in the men’s Junior 16 single and first in the men’s Junior 16 quad at the Irish Rowing Championships. In 2024, he added to his medal collection by winning gold at the Home International Regatta in the junior Men’s double. In 2025, he joined Cogan in the Junior Men’s Quad at the U19 World Rowing Championships. I believe that McCartney will undoubtedly challenge for the gold medal place.
Daragh Morris – Tralee RC
Being alone on the erg can undoubtedly be a daunting task for many; however, for Daragh Morris, he has been alone on the river many times. As a Junior 14, he won the single scull at the Rowing Ireland 1K Classic Regatta, which was the start of his rowing career. Last year, he raced at Coupe de la Jeunesse, where he came sixth in the B-final in the men’s coxless quad, which was after a stellar performance in the junior single scull, where he finished in fourth place. Last year’s event saw Morris finish in 18th position; however, I believe that after a terrific year, he will return to UL this weekend to try and climb the ranks as the year begins. Morris is certainly a contender for the podium if all goes well on the day.
Harry George – Bann RC
Having placed fourth as a Junior 16 in this race category back in 2024, Harry definitely has experience in missing the podium as he was 0.9 of a second off the third-place position. However, in 2025, he finished 27th in the category, making him further away from the podium than expected. I believe that with the loss of competitors this year, Harry George will have a better chance of placing closer to the podium, and after a tough year, he may return stronger than ever before. With the indoors being one of the most unpredictable events of the year, we may see a shakeup in our usual podium placers, and if so, I think Harry will be in to take it.
Prediction
This weekend, the UL Sports Arena will rehost the Irish Indoor Rowing Championships, which will see many competitors row with pure strength to secure some long-awaited podium places they’ve long dreamed about. However, the Junior 2000m event will be the most bloodthirsty of them all.
I believe that Mattias Cogan of Skibbereen will secure the gold medal position, while Harry McCartney will finish second in silver, and Daragh Morris will closely follow in third place.
