Paul O’Donovan
Rowing
BIOGRAPHY
Reigning Olympic champion Paul first raced for Ireland as a junior thirteen years ago, and first medalled (bronze) two years later at World U23s. The first two of his six world titles were won as a lightweight single sculler (2016 and 2017). In 2018 himself and his older brother Gary won World Championship gold in the lightweight double, with Paul going on to win three more also in the double (2019, 2022, 2023) alongside current partner Fintan McCarthy. He won Ireland’s first ever Olympic rowing medal (silver) with brother Gary in Rio 2016, and went on to win gold with Fintan at the delayed Toyko Games in 2021.
Already a qualified physiotherapist, he combined rowing with studying for a medical degree at UCC graduating in 2023 with first class honours. With Fintan injured he raced the heavyweight single at this year’s European Championships in April (8th overall), and the duo reunited to claim bronze at the second Rowing World Cup in May.
OTHER ROWING ATHLETES
ROWING NEWS
ROWERS OFFICIALLY SELECTED FOR TEAM IRELAND AT PARIS 2024
The Olympic Federation of Ireland has officially selected the rowing team that will compete at the Olympic Games in Paris this summer. A record number of crews has qualified for Team Ireland at these Games, with sixteen athletes to compete across seven boats. The rowing events occur in Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, to the southeast of [...]
Rowing Ireland bring two medals home from World Cup I, Varese.
Two medals are coming home to Ireland as racing finishes up here on Lago di Varese. Fiona Murtagh and Airfic Keogh are taking home the silver medals for the Women’s Pair. Up against reigning World Champions Veronique Meester and Ymkje Clevering of the Netherlands, the crew from Galway had a tough race ahead. Ireland were [...]
Team Ireland Name Rowing Team For World Cup I
Ireland have named their rowing team for the World Cup I event in Italy next month, as preparations go up a gear for the summer's Paris Games. The World Rowing Cups are an annual series of three regattas that lead in to the World Rowing Championships. World Cup I takes place from 12 to 14 [...]
CHILDREN NATIONWIDE TO JOIN OLYMPIANS ON ROAD TO PARIS
OLYMPIC FEDERATION OF IRELAND LAUNCHES ROAD TO PARIS – THE OLYMPIC SCHOOLS CHALLENGE Schools nationwide are invited to join the Irish Olympic team on an interactive journey to the Olympic Games in Paris. The challenge is part of the OFI’s ‘Dare to Believe’ programme supported by PTSB Today the Olympic Federation of Ireland, together […]
TEAM IRELAND OLYMPIC BALL HONOURS EUROPEAN GAMES & AWARDS
Link to imagery HERE Athletes and performance enablers gather to celebrate Olympic sport in Ireland Last night, the Olympic Federation of Ireland (OFI) hosted the Team Ireland Olympic Ball at the Mansion House in Dublin, to celebrate the achievements and contributions of members of the Irish Olympic family in 2023, as well as to [...]
Rowing Ireland Kickstart Olympic Year On The Paris 2024 Olympic Course
12 athletes across 6 boats qualified quota spots for Team Ireland at the recent World Rowing Championships which took place in Belgrade, Serbia in September. After a short break, Team Ireland rowers are back in training and leaving no stone unturned as they prepare for the Olympic Games in less than 275 days. Part-funded by [...]