Limerick Paralympian Tiarnan O’Donnell to represent Ireland in the World Rowing Cup 2025 in Varese, Italy 

Limerick’s Tiarnan O’Donnell pictured above has done Limerick proud! Picture Paralympics.ie

Limerick’s Tiarnan O’Donnell is setting his sights on Los Angeles 2028

The 2025 World Rowing Cup begins 13 June, in Varese, Italy, and runs until Sunday, 15 June. Limerick’s Tiarnan O’Donnell will be the sole Irish competitor at the event, which marks his first international regatta of the new Olympic cycle as he sets his sights on Los Angeles 2028. It is also his first major international appearance since competing at the 2024 Paris Paralympics where he finished 8th in the PR2 Mixed Double Sculls alongside Katie O’Brien.

The World Rowing Cup is a series of regattas held during the summer months at various international venues. This weekend’s event in Varese marks the first of the 2025 series. Unusually, only two regattas will take place this year instead of the usual three, with the second scheduled for Lucerne on 27th June. Overall World Rowing Cup winners will be determined based on points accumulated across both events.

Tiarnan will compete in the PR2 Men’s Single Scull.  In 2024, he won silver medals at both World Cup II and III, bringing valuable international experience into this event. Two of his competitors, from Great Britain and Uzbekistan, are making their international debuts, while the Turkish sculler finished ninth behind Tiarnan and Katie at the Paralympics. Tiarnan will race in a preliminary heat on Friday to determine lane placement for the A Final on Sunday.

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The Limerick native was diagnosed with a rare malformation in his right leg at the age of five.

He underwent operations every few months throughout the rest of his childhood and when he reached his teens, his condition began to rapidly deteriorate. Following consultation with doctors from the USA, he was re-diagnosed with a rare tumour called a Fibro-Adipose Vascular Anomaly.

“I was just the sixteenth person in the world diagnosed with this condition. In the summer before my Leaving Cert year, I underwent an extremely risky procedure to try remove a large portion of the tumour from my calf. Unfortunately, during the operation I got severe nerve damage leaving my leg paralysed,” he explained.

“Although, my leg had been paralysed, the nerve damage caused excruciating pain in my leg and foot. The only way I can describe it is like having my foot on fire or being stabbed in the foot all the time. I underwent weekly treatment to manage the tumour and its side effects all while trying to attend school.”

Tiarnán continued: “I became extremely ill in my Leaving Cert year due to my treatment but was determined to sit my exams with my twin and my peers. In the days leading up to the exams I was in hospital paralysed from the belly down to give my body a break from the pain and stress it was under. This meant I was lying flat in a hospital bed when I should have been doing the last bit of cramming.

“After my Leaving Cert I made the difficult decision to amputate my leg. I was so tired and ill from fighting that this seemed like my only hope of a normal life. After consultation with experts in every field, my family and I decided it was the best option for me.

We want to wish Tiarnan the best of luck as he prepares to compete. We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the High-Performance coaching and support staff, whose tireless work behind the scenes ensures Tiarnan and all our athletes are prepared, supported, and ready to perform at the highest level.

More info on Limerick’s Tiarnan O’Donnell