Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy added to their already sizeable medal haul this morning, claiming gold in the lightweight men's double scull final at the European Rowing Championships in Munich.
It was a brilliant performance from the Cork men, who had nearly four seconds to spare over the second placed Italian boat in the race. It is the second consecutive year that they have won this event having also done so in 2021.
Paul O'Donovan in top form after winning gold
Paul O'Donovan has been known to give some brilliant interviews down through the years, first coming to the attention of the public at the 2016 Olympics.
He was in top form once again today, describing to RTÉ how he got into the heads of his Italian opponents before the race.
'There's no point worrying what the others are going to do... I went up to the Italians and gave the them a big auld shoulder'
Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy enjoyed this morning's lightweight double sculls final where they took gold for Ireland 🥇 🇮🇪 #Munich2022 pic.twitter.com/9sCNOohJHL— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 14, 2022
That's all Fintan really. I've been very slow all year and Fintan has really stepped up his game, so I had an easy ride out there which is good. He did a good job, rowing really well and really smooth. Power, timing, endurance, he has it all so I wasn't doing much...
We don't change much really. There is no point worrying what the others are going to do too much, you can pull into their lane but you'll get disqualified.
I went up to the Italians before it and gave them a big auld shoulder as they were launching the boat. It kind of shook them and then they knew what was coming down the middle of the track.
Fortunately Fintan was able to step up and deliver that to them, the final blow as they call it. It worked out well...
I have to go back to school next week. A lot of people haven't realised, but some of ye probably have realised, I'm a bit stupid so I need all the time studying I can get so I don't fail everything and have an absolute disaster.
Brilliant.
This pair are considered to be the best on the planet in the lightweight men's sculls, but as O'Donovan said above, his studies may yet force him to miss out on an opportunity to win another world championship in the Czech Republic next month.
However, Irish sporting fans will certainly be hoping that we see them on the biggest stage again very soon, with the next Olympics games only two years away.
SEE ALSO: Paul O'Donovan And Fintan McCarthy Take Home Rowing Gold For Ireland
