Brothers’ latest success story marks very real possibility of gold in Tokyo

WHEN Gary and Paul O’Donovan won silver at Rio two years ago it launched the brothers into stardom. But Saturday’s gold medal in Bulgaria was a significant achievement for more than one reason, as it marked the very real possibility of gold at Tokyo 2020.

The day had begun with high drama before the race had even got under way when it was announced that Norway would be boating a substitute after their bow man, Kristoffer Brun, fell ill.

Instantly there was one less threat to consider as the Norwegians had taken the European title ahead of Ireland six weeks ago in Glasgow.

Instead it was the Italians, Stefano Oppo and Pietro Ruta, who were looking to deny Ireland the gold after winning their semi-final on Thursday.

Predictably it was Italy who led off the blocks, with the O’Donovans lying back in the pack, in fourth place after 500m and refusing to be fazed by the opposition.

After 850m the Skibbereen duo pushed on hard and destroyed the Italians within the space of 100m, but Oppo and Ruta went with them, as the two doubles broke well clear of the trailing pack.

As Belgium led the tail-enders the medallists were sorted after 1500m but Italy ratcheted up the rate with 200m to go in a last-ditch attempt to deny Ireland the gold.

But for Ireland this was their day, and Gary O’Donovan in the stroke seat allowed himself a little smile as he and his brother eased away to win as they liked.

“We were very strong, very fit, very fast. We trained hard all year. We got two summers this year. We went down to New Zealand and Australia. People thought we went down there to party. We went down there with the priority of working hard. And that’s what we did” said Gary O’Donovan afterwards

“They were the best strokes we put together in all of our lives, I’d say” added his brother.

“An exceptional race – they did absolutely everything right” said Ireland High Performance Director Antonio Maurogiovanni.

“The field was very, very tough. Considering the Belgians, Italians, Norway, it was a very high level of field. I think they perform when they need to perform” he added.

There remains the thorny issue of funding for Ireland’s high development programme, which is still without a major sponsor, despite the phenomenal achievements of its athletes.

“Rowing is an exceptionally clean and green sport and the synergies between elite sport and corporate business have long been recognised” said Rowing Ireland CEO Michelle Carpenter.

Hopefully events this weekend will begin to make a difference.