FINTAN McCarthy will begin his second season at heavyweight by racing in the men’s single scull at World Rowing Cup I in Seville later this month.

The Skibbereen rower made an impact in his first season stepping out of the lightweight ranks, impressing in the Irish men’s double.

Alongside Konan Pazzaia, McCarthy won bronze medals at the European Championships and the World Cup regatta in Lucerne. 

Following that, he teamed up with Philip Doyle to win bronze at the World Rowing Championships in Shanghai where he also won gold alongside Mags Cremen in the mixed double sculls.

Two-time Olympic gold medallist McCarthy was then crowned Senior Male Rower of the Year at Rowing Ireland’s annual awards night earlier this year.

High Performance Director at Rowing Ireland, Niall O'Carroll, said: ‘World Cup I is an important milestone for our programme and provides an excellent opportunity for athletes and crews to benchmark themselves internationally early in the season. 

‘A huge amount of work has gone in behind the scenes over the winter months, from daily training sessions and camps through to a demanding trial process at the National Rowing Centre. 

‘Selection for these crews has been highly competitive, and the athletes have earned the opportunity to race in Seville through their performances and commitment across the season to date.’

Skibbereen duo Dominic Casey and Denise Walsh are among the coaches who will travel to World Rowing Cup I.

The full Rowing Ireland team is as follows:

Men’s Single Scull (M1x): Fintan McCarthy (Skibbereen Rowing Club).

Men’s Quad Scull (M4x): Konan Pazzaia (Queen's University Belfast Boat Club), Andrew Sheehan (UCC RC/Lee RC), Ryan Spelman (Oxford Brookes & St Michael’s Rowing Club), Martin O’Grady (University of Galway Boat Club).

Men’s Pair (M2-): Adam Murphy (UCC RC/Shandon BC), Fionán Tolan (University of Galway Boat Club).

Women’s Single Scull (W1x): Fiona Murtagh (University of Galway Boat Club).

Women’s Double Scull 1 (W2x): Zoe Hyde (Tralee Rowing Club), Mags Cremen (Lee Rowing Club).

Women’s Double Scull 2 (W2x): Alison Bergin (Fermoy Rowing Club), Sophia Young (Methodist College Belfast Rowing Club).

Women’s Four (W4-): Natalie Long (Lee Valley Rowing Club), Claire Feerick (Oxford Brookes & Neptune Rowing Club), Emma Fagan (University of Galway Boat Club), Imogen Magner (Lee Valley Rowing Club).

Lightweight Women’s Single Scull (LW1x): Izzy Clements (Tara Rowing Club & Edinburgh University Boat Club).