In pics: The boys are back in town

Guess who just got back to town? Olympic gold medallists Fintan McCarthy and Paul O'Donovan returned to Skibbereen to a hero's welcome yesterday. Photographer Noel Sweeney was there as well.

Back with more gold. Fintan (l) and Paul (r) back in Skibbereen. Credit: Noel Sweeney

Thousands lined the streets of Skibbereen on Sunday, 1st September, for the official homecoming of their beloved sons and daughters: Olympians and gold medallists Fintan McCarthy and Paul O’Donovan, as well as Aoife Casey, who came 5th, and Emily Hegarty, who came 4th at the Paris Olympics—all members of Skibbereen Rowing Club.

With St Fachtna's Silver Band at the helm, a procession made its way from North Street, rounding the corner onto Skibbereen’s Main Street before wending its way to its destination at Fairfield car park in the centre of the town. Trailing the procession was the open-top bus carrying the rowers.

Ireland’s greatest Olympian comes home. Credit: Noel Sweeney

From the streets below and windows on high, there was fanfare and cheers galore. The bus wound its way through town at a pace far slower than the rowers could ever manage, with the Olympians peering over the top, waving to throngs of supporters. The people waved back, with every age represented.

At Fairfield, a stage hosted by 96FM was in place where the team gathered to chat with sports broadcaster Jacqui Hurley, but not before hearing words of encouragement from the Lord Mayor of County Cork, Joe Carroll; Skibbereen Rowing Club's Chairman, Sean Murran; President Nuala Lupton; and An Tánaiste Micheál Martin—all in front of a crowd of at least 10,000.

128% of Skibbereen was in attendance.

On one side of the stage sat officialdom, while on the other side were five athletes, including Fintan McCarthy’s twin brother, Jake. Among them was Paul O’Donovan, a seven-time world champion and three-time Olympic medallist, with two gold and one silver medal, making him the most successful Irish athlete at the world level in any sport ever. Not that he gives off that impression too much

Speaking to Jacqui Hurley Paul reminded the crowd that he had to be at work for 7.30am on Monday morning.  

Some man, some men, and women. Some athletes. Some town.

Skibb.    

How'd you like those apples?

Crowds of young and old lined the streets of Skibb.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin with Paul and Fintan.

Fintan’s gold medal from Paris to add to his Tokyo gold. Credit: Noel Sweeney.

Paul’s Paris gold.

From left to right: Jake McCarthy Paul O’Donovam, Fintan McCarthy, Emily Hegarty and Aoife Casey.

Heroes the lot of them.

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