St Michael’s Rower Jack Rafferty impresses at National Rowing Centre Ireland trial. Photo: World Rowing

Limerick’s Jack Rafferty was noted as a standout performer at the Ireland Trial held at the National Rowing Centre

Limerick's Jack Rafferty was noted as a standout performer at the Ireland Trial held at the National Rowing CentreJack Rafferty and Jonah Kirby celebrate their emphatic win at the 2025 U19 World Rowing Championships. Photo: World Rowing

Limerick rower, Jack Rafferty was highlighted as producing a standout performance at the Ireland trial held at the National Rowing Centre, delivering a surprise result on the day.

The St Michael’s rower’s performance comes in what has been a successful year, where he was crowned JM2X World Champion with his teammate Johna Kirby in August at the 2025 U19 World Rowing Championships.

Jack’s standout performance at the Ireland trial saw him be the fastest single sculler, finishing just 0.8 seconds ahead of two-time Olympic champion Fintan McCarthy.

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The performance is made even more impressive as Jack was taking part in the largest  Ireland trial ever held, according to Rowing Ireland’s Niall O’Carroll, the new head of high performance who emphasised the importance of younger athletes pushing the standards of senior competitors.

The 18-year-old rower’s performance continues a successful year when Jack and teammate Johna Kirby stepped up in the final day of the 2025 U19 World Rowing Championships on Sunday, August 10.

Honoured to be flying the flag for Ireland at the 2025 championships in Trakai, Lithuania, Jack and Johna battled the elements in what were challenging conditions to bring the nation’s first-ever medal at the U19 World Championships.

Jack, a rower with St Michael’s Rowing Club in Limerick City and an Ardscoil Rís Student, said to RTÉ Sport following the win, “It’s great to be able to represent the green jersey, and to be able to win a gold medal is just a different type of feeling. I can’t process it yet.”

Ardscoil Rís shared the excitement and pride, writing on Twitter, “Great to see Jack and Jonah in action claiming their U19 World Championship Gold Medal today, as well as hearing them afterwards speak about how much it means to them. Very proud of our 5th Year student Jack Rafferty!!”