FINTAN MCCARTHY and Paul O'Donovan were given a hero's welcome when they got back to the Olympic Village earlier today.
The rowers secured Ireland's first Gold medal since London 2012, and the nation's 10th in Olympic history, after triumphing in the lightweight double sculls this morning in Tokyo.
Following their medal ceremony, McCarthy and O'Donovan travelled back to their accommodation, where the Irish Olympic team are all staying.
They were greeted on all sides by jubilant supporters and friends, and given a guard of honour as they arrived.
And energy for a lap of honour@TeamIreland 🥇 pic.twitter.com/SdhchJoWaZ
— Gary Lemke (@GaryLemke) July 29, 2021
The gathered masses began chanting 'Ole, Ole, Ole' and clapping wildly as the rowers returned, and McCarthy even managed a quick lap of honour for good measure.
The last Irish athlete to win an Olympic event was Katie Taylor nine years ago, but you'd have to go all the way back to 1992 to find the last Irishman to win Gold - boxer Michael Carruth.
Though McCarthy and O'Donovan were regarded as favourites going into Thursday's final, O'Donovan's Silver medal in Rio 2016 alongside his brother Gary (who is first reserve behind McCarthy) would have playing on his mind, and the pressure was very much on.
The duo managed to hold their nerve though, remaining half a length in front of the pursuing Germans to secure Ireland's biggest win in nearly a decade.
