President Michael D Higgins has hailed the rowing O'Donovan brothers as inspirational after their World Championship victory in Bulgaria today.
Gary and Paul O'Donovan won gold in the men's lightweight double sculls in the World Rowing Championships in Plovdiv this morning.
The O'Donovan brothers claim that a night out on the town in Plovdiv was what set them up for 'the best strokes we ever pulled in our lives'! #RTESport pic.twitter.com/nSyr9Duswp
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) September 15, 2018
The brothers, from Skibbereen, Co Cork, shot to prominence in 2016 when they won silver at the Olympics, securing a place in the nation's heart with their straight-talking attitude and comic one-liners.
The O'Donovan brothers took the choppy water conditions in their stride to win in Rio today https://t.co/lJNoLL4OrYhttps://t.co/AuWALUfm4W
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 8, 2016
President Higgins said: "It is a pleasure to once again send my congratulations to Gary and Paul O'Donovan on winning a rowing medal.
"They continue to inspire us, not only with this win at the World Rowing Championships but also with their mental and physical strength."
Sports Minister Shane Ross congratulated all the Irish rowers taking part in the championships in Bulgaria, but he reserved special praise for the golden boys from Skibbereen.
"In every way possible they demonstrate what is inspirational about sport and sportsmanship," he said.
The brothers' victory defied expectations after they only just managed to secure a spot in the final, squeezing through as third-place finishers in their semi-final.
- PA
