Fintan McCarthy's mother Sue has described as "unbelievable" the moment she watched her son row to gold with Paul O'Donovan in the men’s lightweight double sculls at the Paris Olympics this morning.
She admitted she was "feeling sick" before the race, but said she was "absolutely delighted" when they got over the line in first place.
For Tom McCarthy, the experience of watching his son race was very different.
"I don’t have nerves. I just knew they’d done the work, and could turn it on when they need to."
Fintan McCarthy, who only took up rowing at the age of 15, is now one of Ireland’s most successful Olympians, despite, his parents say, "never being a sporty child."
"But somehow, at 15, he just got in that boat and absolutely loved it, and here we are."
They said they were looking forward to the celebrations later with family, friends and everyone from Skibbereen in Co Cork.
"It's just brilliant for the town - it gives everybody a lift"
Ms McCarthy said she had seen a video on social media of everyone back home "watching in the town hall and jumping up and down."
"It’s probably going off in Skib now," she said.
For Paul O’Donovan’s father Teddy, he said that his confidence was always there that the pair would finish in first place.
"It’s not a surprise to me that they’re here today. I’ve seen them race like that for donkey's years. That’s how I taught them when they were young teenagers. Uncompromising racing at its best."
He added that it feels great to be the father of the first Irish athlete to win medals at three different Olympics, and said it would have a particular impact on Skibbereen.
"It’s just brilliant for the town - it gives everybody a lift. A rising tide lifts all boats."
'A small town can perform on the world stage'
In Skibbereen in West Cork, the town has grown quite accustomed to Olympic rowing finals,
There was disappointment for local rower Aoife Casey and her teammate Mags Cremin of UCC and Lee Rowing Club in the lightweight women's double sculls final, but that was more than made up for in the men's lightweight sculls final.
People crammed into the Town Hall – amid the local arts festival which has adopted the Olympics as its theme - from 10am.
"It hasn't dawned on us yet that he has three Olympic medals," Paul O'Donovan's aunt, Regina Coombes, told RTÉ News.
"He's the first one in Irish history to do that. It's just brilliant."
Club founder Richard Hosford said when he founded the club with a number of other local people 50 years ago, he never envisaged success like this.
"Danny Murphy was another founding member and he said to me 'how long will it last'," he recalled. "Here we are now, 52 years later."
Chairperson of Skibbereen Rowing Club Sean Murran described Paul O'Donovan as "Ireland's best Olympian ever."
Speaking on RTÉ’s News at One he said that "to be able to go out, Olympics after Olympics, and achieve the standard he has, it is absolutely wonderful".
He said that the two athletes have inspired the next generation who want to be as successful as them, and know the huge commitment required.
"We’re growing the club the whole time".
He added that the success over the years has changed the story of Skibbereen in ways.
"This is a really optimistic story. It is a story of elite athletes performing on the world stage, and it shows that a small town can perform on the world stage, so it has been a really positive influence on the town."
Mr Murran said rowing was an expensive sport, and the community's support had been invaluable.
"Every time we go out to fundraise, they back us to the hilt and allow us keep the sport accessible for all people, so definitely the community is fundamental to success in small towns."
President Michael D Higgins posted on X, describing Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy as phenomenal sportsmen.
Congratulations to Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy on their brilliant achievement in retaining their Olympic title with a wonderful Gold medal in the lightweight double sculls. Paul and Fintan are phenomenal sportsmen who have represented the country with immense distinction
— President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) August 2, 2024
Also posting on X, Taoiseach Simon Harris said that the performance was sensational, and that the team were "strategically brilliant".
Additional reporting: Paschal Sheehy
