A native of Galway, Maxwell served his rowing apprenticeship at St Joseph’s College Galway, University College Galway and the Neptune Club in Dublin – three institutions with significant rowing traditions that cultivated a winning mentality.

He and Tony O’Connor moved in together in Shankill, Co. Dublin in 1994 and began a twice-weekly morning session at Islandbridge in addition to their Neptune club schedule, entering lightweight pairs events. Their partnership quickly produced results, culminating in a world record at Paris (6:26.0) and a bronze medal at the 1994 World Championships in Indianapolis, followed by World Championship silver medals in 1995 and 1996.

At Atlanta he was the most experienced member of a crew that he later described as near-perfect in chemistry. In his assessment, Sam Lynch was ‘physically by far the most powerful athlete’ while Derek Holland was the technical expert and Tony O’Connor brought ‘the most amazing tempo and rhythm to the boat.’ In the final, the crew led at 500m but were unable to produce their customary storming finish.

‘Fourth place was just a pile of shit’, was Maxwell’s blunt verdict on a race in which ‘we didn’t listen to ourselves.’