‘A Bitta Craic’: These Cork Olympians Won Everyone Over With Their Post-Race Interview

They might be taking Rio by storm, but brothers Gary and Paul O’Donovan are Corkonians to the core.

The siblings, who are competing in the 2016 Olympics as a doubles rowing team, won their Mens Lightweight Double Sculls heat yesterday, and gave the most Cork-infused interview to RTÉ directly afterwards.

The O’Donovan brothers took the choppy water conditions in their stride to win in Rio today https://t.co/lJNoLL4OrYhttps://t.co/AuWALUfm4W

— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 8, 2016

Gary and Paul hail from Skibbereen in West Cork, and were sure to give their hometown a few shout-outs during the chat. Here are a few highlights…

On the adverse weather conditions that meant their heat was postponed by a day

“We were almost disappointed we couldn’t race yesterday, we were looking forward to that, it would have been a bitta craic.”

“Dya know, we’re well used to a bitta wind, that kind of thing wouldn’t faze us at all.”

On the crowds cheering for them from the grandstands

“Most of them are shouting ‘Up Skib’ rather than ‘Up Ireland'”

On their supporters back at home in Cork

“Big shout out to everyone gathered at home, there’s a good few in the grandmother’s place in Ballincollig.”

Oh, and on living the Olympic dream in Rio…

“Ah, it’s pretty good, yeah.”

Watch the full interview on RTÉ Player here.

• gary o donovan
• Olympics
• paul o donovan
• rio 2016
• rowing