GOLD-EN MOMENT! Skibbereen brothers win gold at European Rowing Championships

SKIBBEREEN brothers Gary and Paul O’Donovan won a sensational gold medal at the European Rowing Championships in Brandenburg on Sunday morning.

The lethal Lisheen duo produced a terrific final 500 metres in the ‘A’ final of the men’s lightweight double sculls to be crowned European champions, and adding to the Skibbereen success story is their coach, well-known local Dominic Casey of Skibbereen Rowing Club.

Gary and Paul, who won a silver medal at the World Cup event in Italy last month, edged out Germany in second with Norway in third place. The Skibb brothers will represent Ireland in the Olympic Games this summer.

Meanwhile, three other Skibbereen Rowing Club stars just missed out on medals in their ‘A’ finals this morning. Denise Walsh came a courageous fourth in the women’s lightweight single sculls while Shane O’Driscoll and Mark O’Donovan finished fourth in the men’s lightweight pair.

#Gold for #Ireland at the #ERChamps2016!! @PaulO_Donovan @gary_donovan huge congrats! @RowingIreland #RoadToRio2016 pic.twitter.com/ee9tMYpiC4

— Kevin MacSweeny (@KevinMacSweeny) May 8, 2016

Tears of joy and pride in Lisheen as Amhrán na bhFiann rings out in Brandenburg. #GOLDonovan Brothers #ERChamps pic.twitter.com/FPKukoMSVA

— Lisheen NS (@LisheenNS) May 8, 2016

Great to see @gary_donovan @PaulO_Donovan @RowingIreland @sportireland top of podium. #ERChamps @WorldRowing pic.twitter.com/lJBqNLQqNy

— Michelle Carpenter (@shellie_mcc) May 8, 2016