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
BACK-TO-BACK OLYMPIC GOLD FOR FINTAN MCCARTHY AND PAUL O’DONOVAN
Team Ireland rowers Fintan McCarthy and Paul O’Donovan (LM2x) have sensationally won back-to -back Olympic gold medals. The Skibbereen superstars rowed the perfect race to become double Olympic champions in front a massive Irish crowd in Paris. In doing the remarkable duo have won Team Ireland’s fifth medal at these Paris Olympic Games, after team [...]
Medal For Philip Doyle and Daire Lynch at Paris 2024
Team Ireland rowers Philip Doyle and Daire Lynch have won a brilliant Olympic bronze medal in the final of the Men’s Double Sculls (M2x) at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. In doing the Irish duo have won Team Ireland’s fourth medal at these Olympic Games, after Mona McSharry claimed bronze, Daniel Wiffen gold, and [...]
DAY 3 MORNING REPORT FROM TEAM IRELAND | PARIS 2024
Reigning world champion Daniel Wiffen eased his way into tomorrow night’s 800m Freestyle final qualifying fastest of all eight swimmers in a time of 7:41.53. Team mate Ellen Walshe booked her spot in her first Olympic final tonight; her favoured event the women’s 400m Individual Medley by finishing fourth in her heat. Second time Olympian Danielle Hill [...]
TEAM IRELAND TO FEATURE IN TEN SPORTS ON OPENING DAY OF PARIS 2024
Day one of Paris 2024 is set to be a bumper one for Team Ireland as athletes from no less than ten sports will get their Olympic campaigns underway; Eventing (Dressage), Hockey, Swimming, Rowing, Canoe Slalom, Road Cycling, Boxing, Badminton, Gymnastics, and the Men’s Rugby Sevens team return to the pitch. Equestrian The Irish [...]
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 [...]