KERRY’S Olympic rower, Paul Griffin’s quest for goal gets underway next Sunday as the Irish rowers take to the water in at the Olympic Games in Athens.

For many, it’s not too much of a surprise to see the talented Killarney oarsman compete in the greatest sporting competition in the world, the Olympic Games. Many who have witnessed his seemingly effortless transition from local rower to becoming a member of Ireland’s Lightweight Coxless Four crew aren’t in the least bit surprised to see how far the Fossa athlete has travelled in his sport.

Next Sunday sees Paul’s life work and training come down to one race, one stretch of water and one goal; to qualify for the semifinal and take it from there.

Former secretary of Muckross Rowing Club, Clare Fogarty, has an added interest in how Paul fares in next Sunday’s heat. Apart from seeing Griffin develop into one of the country’s leading oarsmen, Clare has also started dating Paul so she will be wearing two caps in support of Paul - that of former secretary of the rowing club that fostered his talent and that of girlfriend.

Clare speaks of her delight that Paul is competing in the Olympic Games and she knew from an early stage that nothing was going to stop him in his desire to be the best. “I am very proud of him.

Since I’ve known him, he has always been very dedicated to training and rowing and indeed anything he puts his mind to. He always wants to improve and do better. I knew he had the potential, dedication and ability to row for Ireland at the Olympics,” Clare said. Clare highlights that Paul’s excellent achievement can serve as a source of encouragement and inspiration to younger rowers as he is prove that anyone can live the dream if they are dedicated enough.

“His progress and achievement are an inspiration to other Club members and of course to the younger members. They can see that someone who is from the area has opportunities to train to the highest level and go on to represent themselves and their country at the Olympics,” Clare added.

Clare reveals that Paul and the rest of the crew entertain high hopes of success over in Athens and if they reach the final, anything is possible.

“I think that they (the Lightweight Coxless 4) will do well but they will have a tough week’s racing. They have to come in the top three in their heat to qualify straight into the semifinal.

Then in the semi-final they have to come in the top three again to qualify for the A-final. I think if they don’t qualify for the final they will be very disappointed. It will be a six boat final and three of those boats will win medals,” Clare explained.

Clare is flying to Athens to support Paul along with three of Paul’s friends and some members of his immediate family. Paul’s parents, Donie and Mary, are immensely proud of their son’s monumental achievement and revealed that such a sporting honour was always to be Paul’s destiny.

It is easy to see the huge support the Griffin family have given Paul from a young age and how they have helped him to fulfil every amateur athlete’s dream of competing in the Olympic Games.

“We are absolutely delighted, thrilled. We are very proud of him and this is perfect reward for all the hard work he has put into the rowing over the years.

Rowing is Paul’s first love. He has spent an awful lot of time rowing since he was young. Paul has been rowing for eleven years now and this is the perfect reward for him,” his mother, Mary, said.

Mary and other family members are heading out to Athens to support Paul and his Olympic dream while Donie will remain glued to the television back in Fossa.

“I am flying out on the 17th with my daughter (Paul’s sister) Maureen, Paul’s girlfriend Clare and some of his friends are heading over also,” Mary said.

One of those friends making the trek to sunny Athens is a former team mate of Paul’s at Fossa Rowing Club, and long-time friend, Declan Madden. Declan was always confident that Paul had the necessary attributes to be highly successful and is confident of the Barleymount man returning home with a medal.

“From the time that I have spent with Paul, I have always known him to be a very focused and dedicated athlete. Hopefully they will make the A final, I would be very surprised if they don’t come home with a medal,” Declan added.

Declan, along with two of Paul’s closest friends, Kenneth McCarthy and Paul Kennedy are flying out to Athens on Saturday to support Paul and have a drink or two in his honour, win or lose!