Margaret Cremen ready for Paris 2024

26 Jul 2024

• UCC Sports Studies and Physical Education with Irish student Margaret Cremen is ready for this summer’s Olympics in Paris.
• Margaret Cremen and UCC graduate Aoife Casey will compete in the Lightweight Women's Double Sculls.
• 8 UCC students and graduates will represent Ireland on world’s biggest stage.

UCC’s Margaret Cremen is among the elite athletes on the Irish Olympic team who are balancing sport with study.

Irish rowing sensation Mags Cremen, UCC Sports Studies and Physical Education with Irish student and member of UCC Rowing Club, in now in Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics.

With a strong track record and a relentless drive for excellence, Mags and UCC graduate Aoife Casey (Skibbereen Rowing Club) are poised to make a significant impact on the global stage in the Women’s Lightweight Double Scull.

Rise in Rowing

Mags is from Rochestown, Cork, and has been rowing since 2014. Margaret discovered her passion for the sport at the Shandon Rowing Club. Her talent and dedication quickly set her apart. By the age of 16, she was already competing at national levels, showcasing her potential as a future Olympian.

Mags' career took a significant leap when she joined the Irish national team. Her performances in international competitions, including the World Rowing Championships 2022 where Margaret and Aoife won bronze in the LW2x. The pair went on to place 7th in the 2023 World Championships in Belgrade which qualified the boat for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Mags won silver at the 2020 European U23 Championships in Duisburg, alongside Aoife Casey in the Lightweight Women’s Sculls.

Support for student athletes

UCC received Sport Ireland Institute Accreditation for Student Athlete Support (ASAS), which recognises good practice in ‘dual career’ support for student athletes.

UCC’s elite athletes are supported through their careers by UCC Sport, UCC Quercus, and Faculty of UCC’s College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Sports Sciences.

Dr Wesley O’Brien, Director of the B.Ed. in Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts Degree, said: “On behalf of all the students and staff on the B.Ed. in Physical Education, Sports Studies and Arts Programme, we wish our Olympian Mags Cremen, and all of Team Ireland the very best for Paris 2024. We are beyond proud of Mags, she encapsulates everything that is right about high performing student-athletes in UCC.”

Dr João Costa, UCC Lecturer in Education - Sport Pedagogy , said: “Best of luck to our Physical Education student Mags Cremen, and her partner Aoife Casey, who will be taking to the water and rowing for Team Ireland at Paris 2024. Mags continues to push the boundaries of high performance and yet again, we recognise her outstanding sporting success, as Mags prepares for her second Olympic Games.”

To help students combine high-level sport with study, UCC offers health and wellbeing support, academic assistance, access to training and competition facilities.

Team Ireland on the world's biggest stage

Professor John O’Halloran, UCC President, said: “To reach the Olympic stage is a prestigious honour, achieved through dedication, hard work, and incredible perseverance. Eight current students and recent graduates were selected to represent Ireland on the Team Ireland Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic delegations – we look forward to cheering for them on the world’s biggest stage.”

Professor Cathal O’Connell, Interim Head of UCC College of Arts, Celtic Studies and Social Sciences, said: “We are committed to providing a supportive environment for all student athletes, enabling them to achieve academic excellence while supporting their great ambitions to compete internationally. We wish the best of luck to Mags, Aoife and all of Team Ireland on their exciting journey ahead.”

Read more

The Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium will host the Olympic rowing and canoe-kayak events.