This weekend, the NRC will host the first Rowing Ireland High Performance trials of the 2025-26 season. Unlike all subsequent trialling stages, the round marks the only open-entry opportunity, meaning that athletes do not need an invitation to compete. As a result, the start line will feature Olympians, world champions, established internationals, and emerging athletes seeking their first green vest. All the athletes will be expected to compete twice over 3km, with the afternoon trial being seeded from their morning performance.
With only this single open-entry opportunity to secure a place in the next phases of the trialling process, the pressure is on for athletes to demonstrate speed and potential under pressure. A strong performance in the single scull here could be what cements an athlete firmly into the HP conversation.
Margaret Cremen, Lee Rowing Club
Margaret Cremen enters this round of trials as the standout favourite after an incredible summer season. Not only did she claim the women’s senior scull National Championship pot at home, but she also had a historic win in the first ever Mixed Double Scull at the World Championships in Shanghai. Having competed consistently on the world stage for several years, including two Olympic games, Cremen is a familiar and respected face within the Rowing Ireland system. The combination of her pace and extensive major-event experience means that she’s likely to be the athlete everyone will be chasing down the 3km course.
Siobhán McCrohan, Tribesmen Rowing Club
All eyes will also be on Siobhán McCrohan this weekend, who has enjoyed significant success since her return to international racing in 2023. At home, McCrohan saw success in the women’s lightweight single sculls at the 2025 National Championships, while also impressively finishing second in the openweight category, demonstrating her remarkable depth as an athlete. Internationally, she brought home fourth place at this summer’s World Championships in the lightweight single scull, reinforcing her status as one of the top lightweights in the world. We can expect a clean and efficient performance from McCrohan, and she will no doubt be in the mix for a top finish.
Zoe Hyde, Tralee Rowing Club
Zoe Hyde adds further depth to this already stacked field. As an Olympian and having placed 6th in the Women’s Double Sculls at the World Championships this summer alongside Cremen, Hyde has been racing major international regattas since 2022, bringing a wealth of high-performance experience. We can expect Hyde to apply the lessons learned from a demanding summer in the double as she looks to confirm her status as a key part of the Irish senior team. Her racing maturity makes her a major contender in this trial.
Notable mentions
Beyond these leading contenders, the sheer wealth of international experience across this 16-women field means that there are several athletes capable of reshaping the results.
Emily Hegarty, for example, is an exceptionally decorated athlete, including a history-making bronze in the women’s four at the Tokyo Olympics. Although known primarily for her sweep rowing achievements, it will be exciting to watch how she transfers that power and racing knowledge into the single scull.
The athletes who raced together in the women’s quad at the World Championships, Aisling Hayes, Imogen Magner, and Natalie Long will also be looking to take that experience into a strong sculling performance this weekend. More international experience comes from Alison Bergin and Claire Feerick, the Rowing Ireland spares for the World Championships this summer. Both these athletes will be hungry to post strong times and work their way further up the Rowing Ireland rankings.
The first trial of the season will also see some of Rowing Ireland’s rising talent take to the 3km course. Amilia McAleer is an athlete who has climbed the ranks quickly, racing at both Home International Regatta and the U23 European Championships this summer, despite only taking up the sport in recent years. Her teammates from the U23 European Championships, Emma Fagan and Caoimhe O’Sullivan will also be present as all of these developing athletes aim to continue their upward trajectory to solidify themselves as strong contenders within the HP environment.
Prediction
While it is difficult to look past the phenomenal season that Margaret Cremen has had, this talented field will put her under serious pressure. The November trial won’t select boats for major events but it will determine who will stay in the HP conversation and identify the athletes worth inviting forward.
The seasoned international athletes will be looking to confirm their status but for the developing athletes, it is a chance to show that they are worthy of a green vest. With such a strong field of athletes competing, only – it is a really exciting time for Irish rowing.
