Gerry rowed on the Canal Olympico de Catalunya, Castelldefels which was the site for the Olympic canoeing events when Barcelona played host to the Olypmic Games in 1992.

    Gerry’s first event on the lake was the single sculls over 1000m in perfect conditions apart from the 37 degree celsius temperatures.

    In a keenly contested event, Gerry and two Spaniards, Jose Crespo and Martn Martinez were level at the 500m mark before Crespo and Murphy edged ahead coming into the final 200m. In the final 100m, Crespo had the superior sprint for the line to finish ahead of Murphy. Gerry’s time of 3 mins 40.01 seconds was a personal best and indeed, ten seconds inside the previous record in this event which was 3 mins 50.01 seconds.

    The following day Gerry was out in the double sculls rowing with Seamus Keating a native of Carlow who now works in London. The combination was to finish second in another titanic struggle with Canada getting the better of Gerry and Seamus in the dying strides with a team from the PSNI back in third.

    Only 40 minutes later, the intrepid duo were back in the water for another final and this time their main opposition came from Spanish and Australian teams with the Spanish team stroked by Crespo who got the better of Gerry in the single sculls.

    By 500m, Ireland, Spain and Australia were ahead of the pack and at the 750m marker Australia had been dropped with Spain and Ireland neck and neck. Spain, however, had the final say as they upped it again in the final 70m to egde home but it was another silver for Gerry and Seamus.

    Three silvers on the lake and with a bronze safely secured earlier in the week on the ergomometer, a successfully and busy week had concluded for the Enniskillen rower.

    Understandably he was delighted with his medal haul.

    “The week went brilliantly,” enthused Gerry. “To get four medals made all the training worthwhile and it was good to be in contention in all the events I entered. Competition was tough and all my times were personal bests, so you cannot ask for much better. I will be able to take it somewhat easier now before the new rowing season recommences later in the year,” concluded a satisfied Murphy.