Schools: Scoil Mhuire and Loreto, both Letterkenny, Co Donegal.

Other school sports: I had no brothers, so there was no football! But I played just about everything else – basketball, badminton, canoeing, running, volleyball, you name it.

Who got you started?Well, I took swimming seriously when I was young and it was my Mum who took us to the pool every morning at around 6.0, so she was the big influence there. Then my Dad took up cycling when he was in his 30s so he'd have his three daughters out following him. In school there was a teacher who got me into running so, along with the swimming and cycling, that eventually led to me competing in the triathlon.

The best of days: Looking back, it was reaching the Donegal senior schools final in basketball, even though we lost to Falcarragh. It mightn't seem the biggest of things but basketball had become so popular at the time, so, for us, it felt huge!

The worst of days:It was at Belfield, in a track and field competition against the other Loreto schools, I was team captain. We came third, so I went up to collect the trophy, we were delighted with ourselves. Then they told us there had been a mistake with the results, they'd have to reshuffle them – we were thinking maybe we came second! But we were fourth . . . so had to give the trophy back.

Most inspiring sporting memory: Stephen Roche winning the Tour de France (in 1987), particularly the stage in the mountains where he collapsed at the end, after an incredible effort to catch Pedro Delgado. He just pushed himself to the absolute limits. Our Dad dragged us in to watch it on television. I just remember being amazed by Roche, it was a fantastic achievement.

If I could turn back time: I suppose I could have had more structured training for the triathlon, it was only when I moved in to rowing that I began training properly, so maybe I could have gone further in the triathlon. But I really don't have any regrets. I tried so many sports and learnt from them all, a lot of kids now specialise quite early and they can burn out.

Most admired: Paula Radcliffe, definitely. Despite all the bad luck she has achieved so much, and keeps coming back after disappointments and setbacks. I met her a few years ago in Limerick and she was such a nice person. To me she was a star, but despite not knowing me she had time for me and was really interested in hearing about my rowing. She's great.

Not too keen:Probably Christine Ohuruogu (the British runner who missed three out-of-competition drugs tests but won her appeal against a ban on competing in the Olympics – she won gold in the 400 metres in Beijing). It just really bugs me that she was allowed back after missing three tests. It just doesn't seem fair.

One sporting wish:No question, to compete in the Olympics and to get that medal. That's the ultimate dream.

Sinead Jennings is one of Ireland’s most successful sportswomen, amongst her achievements are winning gold (2001), silver (2008) and bronze (2000) at the rowing World Championships. A talented swimmer and cyclist, she has also represented Ireland in the triathlon.