SPORTING PASSIONS/PHILIP BROWNE, IRFU CHIEF EXECUTIVE:THERE WAS definitely a genetic disposition towards rowing. My father Alan was a national champion back in the 1940s, my brother and I took up the sport and now my son, Jack (16), is one of the top rowers in his age grade.

I was interested in many sports at school, including rugby, but I suppose I demonstrated an aptitude for rowing – long levers certainly help – that was facilitated by good coaching when I went to Trinity. In my first few years I was fortunate enough to be involved in winning novice and then intermediate eights and fours, and while still at college from 1982-’84 rowed for Ireland in the home internationals.

I moved to Neptune rowing club in 1985, won senior Irish pairs and eights, reached the final of the Silver Goblet at Henley and represented Ireland in the World Championships in Belgium. The following year I was involved in national pairs, fours and eights winning boats and we won the Ladies Plate at Henley.

I managed to repeat the same feat in terms of national pairs, fours and eights and in the World Championship in Copenhagen we reached the semi-final. A back injury forced me to retire in 1997 and in recent times I have returned to the sport because of Jack’s involvement: as general factotum and boat carrier. I’m really enjoying it.

When I was rowing it was all-consuming in terms of dedication, the commitment huge. I think the sport attracts a certain type of person with virtues like perseverance or doggedness. Rowing has moved on appreciably from my time in terms of the numbers of young people involved.

There is a very good system in place in Ireland in terms of coaching structures, evident in the appointment of people like Martin McIlroy, Rowing Ireland’s Performance Director and a man who coached the British Eight to the gold medal at the Sydney Olympics. It’s definitely a minority sport in the context of others in this country but we have enjoyed a disproportionate amount of success, especially when you consider that we don’t have purpose built rowing venues like other countries.

The weather in Ireland wouldn’t be as conducive to the sport but that in itself is part of the challenge. It takes dedication to drag a boat out when it’s freezing, blowing and the water is choppy. Still there is nothing quite like the feeling of eight people rowing in synchronised harmony, cutting through the water. Those are the cherished moments, ones you really long for in rowing.

There are moments, maybe standing in the sunshine overlooking Blessington Lake when it resembles a millpond, that you get a hankering to be out there.

Conversely there’d be plenty of times in less clement weather that I am grateful I’m just there to watch. It’s fair to say that I really enjoy my current role in relation to rowing.

– In conversation with JOHN O’SULLIVAN