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James Crombie/INPHO

'The world and their mother are happy for them': O'Donovan family on historic Olympic win

The brothers said they haven’t had a chance to let their silver medal win sink in.

PAUL O’DONOVAN HAS said he and his brother Gary haven’t been able to let their Olympic medal win sink in as they’ve been so busy since claiming silver in the men’s lightweight double sculls final on Friday.

Speaking on C103’s Cork Today, Paul said: “We haven’t had too much time to think about the achievement really.

“We’ve been hearing a lot of things from home and they’re all after going mad in Skibbereen and all over the country. It is kind of a big thing really.”

He said they have “done a little bit [of celebrating]“, and tried to fit in some sightseeing in Rio de Janeiro too.

Gary is staying on in Brazil for another week, but Paul is leaving to go to the World Rowing Championships in Rotterdam.

The brothers have made international headlines thanks to their laid-back approach to interviews and humble attitudes.

Paul said it’s “kind of frightening to think about [the internet reaction]“, adding that Irish race walker Rob Heffernan told them their lives might “never be the same again” due to the media attention.

He expects a homecoming party to take place in Skibbereen in late August or early September.

The brothers also have another event coming up, with Paul noting an open invitation to a Debs was sent to them on Twitter, saying: “We’ll have to decide who’ll go to that.”

Proud parents

On the same show, their mother Trish said:

It seems that the world and their mother are happy for them and delighted for them, and have taken them on board as two ambassadors for the country and rowing … that is fantastic.

She said she is very proud of her sons making history, securing Ireland’s first-ever medal in rowing at the Olympics.

When asked about their personalities, she said: “Ah sure they’re stone mad, they’re wild. They were always as wild as could be [as children] … They’d find fun in everything.”

Their father Teddy, who coached them for years, said:

The day I took them rowing, their lives were never the same again really.

He said his sons truly love the sport and that drive “was always in them”.

Teddy added that he always thought they had a good chance of winning a medal.

“I had made the prediction. When it comes down to an Olympic final you obviously don’t know because it comes down to the finest of margins. But I did, I had them tipped to be challenging for a medal … that was before they went out to the Olympics at all.”

Read: Joy for Irish rowing as O’Donovan brothers claim historic silver medal at Olympics

Read: 7 times YouTube didn’t have a notion what the O’Donovan brothers were saying

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24 Comments
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    Mute Steve McMahon
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    Aug 15th 2016, 3:12 PM

    They’ve made sport fun again

    292
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    Mute Joe Murphy
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    Aug 15th 2016, 3:18 PM

    Loads of people out rowing down by Parc Ui Chaoimh marina yesterday, not young ones either…

    113
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    Mute Donal Carey
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    Aug 15th 2016, 3:17 PM

    True sporting Heroes with no bull shit attached

    180
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    Mute Joey_Westland
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    Aug 15th 2016, 3:52 PM

    Great story.
    Pure Irish.
    Probably helps when it’s two brothers involved as I’d imagine the stress load can be shared.
    For once in my life I’m actually looking forward to seeing someone on the Late Late Show.

    156
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    Mute rodrigo detriano
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    Aug 15th 2016, 3:16 PM

    Taylor loses! The boxing has been a disaster

    91
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    Mute Alan Farrell
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    Aug 15th 2016, 3:22 PM

    Wrong article man.

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    Mute Ewan Euphrenza
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    Aug 15th 2016, 3:33 PM

    I hope Conlan pulls it out of the bag. Uncomfortable questions to be asked otherwise.

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    Mute Rollander
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    Aug 15th 2016, 3:48 PM

    Delighted for them.

    86
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    Mute Arthur stewart
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    Aug 15th 2016, 5:52 PM

    I thought theFrench crew won. I must be stupid. Second is the new first.

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    Mute gus lennon
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    Aug 15th 2016, 6:14 PM

    Get away Arthur, Scrooge is for Christmas.

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    Mute Vero
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    Aug 15th 2016, 6:47 PM

    They still won a medal u Scrooge… Would u not be pleased for the lads like everyone else??

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    Mute Steven Nee
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    Aug 15th 2016, 7:38 PM

    Are rather than must be.

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    Mute Tom Kelly
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    Aug 15th 2016, 7:39 PM

    Arthur, the Irish love to celebrate coming second.

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    Mute Arthur stewart
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    Aug 15th 2016, 8:10 PM

    Vero I am thrilled for them….who could not be. Wonderful couple.But a spade is still a spade.

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    Mute Steven Nee
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    Aug 15th 2016, 8:14 PM

    Second in the world.. We’ll take that alright..

    29
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    Mute Steven Nee
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    Aug 15th 2016, 8:21 PM

    A troll from London coming on irish sports sites.. You must have a terribly fulfilling life!

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    Mute Alex Carroll
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    Aug 15th 2016, 3:31 PM

    The Cork Snozzlers..

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    Mute Gomez Scarlet
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    Aug 15th 2016, 7:26 PM

    Only their mother could love such idiots

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    Mute Steven Nee
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    Aug 15th 2016, 7:32 PM

    #Troll

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    Mute Gomez Scarlet
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    Aug 15th 2016, 8:21 PM

    You’re another one ha ha ha

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    Mute Steven Nee
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    Aug 15th 2016, 9:32 PM

    Another what? Please explain, because I don’t speak sad c#$t!

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    Mute Steven Nee
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    Aug 15th 2016, 10:53 PM

    I’ve hit a new low alright.. Engaging trolls is a shame.. Haha?? Seriously? Guess you’re not quiet MENSA material. I’m letting myself down writing this

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    Mute Steven Nee
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    Aug 15th 2016, 10:56 PM

    Try and learn English before attempting to write it.. I’m guessing as a sad Internet troll you’ve never actually attempted any serious sport?

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