Skibb Olympians are named Cork Persons of the Month for October

SKIBBEREEN’s Olympic heroes are the most popular nominees in the 24-year history of the Cork Person of the Year awards. 

Gary and Paul O’Donovan have been named the October Cork Persons of the Month, after a huge number of entries were received by organiser Manus O’Callaghan.

‘Never in the 24-year history of the Cork Person of the Year have we had more nominations for our regular ‘Cork Person of the Month’ award,’ explained Manus.

‘That’s really saying something, when you consider past winners have included sporting icons such as Roy Keane and Jimmy Barry Murphy.’

The Olympic silver medallists received the monthly award following their ‘Herculean efforts at the Rio Olympics in August’. In addition to winning silver in Rio, Paul subsequently went on to win gold at the World Championships in Rotterdam. 

The boys are now back in training and earlier this month won the doubles final at the Irish Open Regatta held at the National Rowing Centre in Inniscarra. Paul also pipped his brother to win the A final of the single sculls, on the first weekend of the Irish season.

As ‘Persons of the Month’, the brothers’ names will now go forward for possible selection as Cork Persons of the Year at the gala awards lunch on January 20th, before an invited audience. 

 ‘The O’Donovan Brothers’ achievements and endearing personalities made a huge international impact during the Olympics and they received a hero’s welcome on their return home to Cork,’ said Manus. ‘President Michael D Higgins summed up the feelings of the entire country when he said that the O’Donovan brothers had captured the nation’s imagination.’