In a West Cork Minute - Twins Jake and Fintan McCarthy

Twins Jake and Fintan McCarthy, 20, from Aughadown in Skibbereen, competed at the World U23 Rowing Championships last week in Bulgaria where they picked up a few local traditions ...

What's the one thing you can't live without?

Jake: Coffee.

 

What would I find in your fridge right now?

Fintan: Yogurt and chocolate – that's all we could fit in our hotel mini fridge.

 

Name one element your sport could/should take from another?

Jake: Decreasing our training load by about 75 per cent like most normal sports would be ideal.

 

What do you think about when you're alone in your car? 

Fintan: Haven't passed my test yet so never usually alone unless I'm waiting for someone, so probably wishing the other person would hurry up, usually Jake.

Who has been the biggest influence on your sporting career (and why)? 

Fintan: Way too many to mention but all Skibbereen athletes and coaches as well as the parents, friends and family is a good place to start. 

 

Pick two celebrities to be your parents: Conor McGregor and Beyoncé.

 

What do you think cats dream of? 

Fintan: More ways to be evil.

 

If you could play any other sport for one day what would it be?

Fintan: Some sort of sprint for the short race would be nice compared to 2k, even though I'd probably be no good.

 

If you joined a circus, what would you perform?

Jake: Probably a clown as that's what we're commonly referred to as by coach Casey.

 

If you could get rid of one county in Ireland what would it be and why?

Jake: Rather have the six back than get rid of one.

 

What would you do if you found a penguin in your freezer?

Fintan: Probably pretend I didn't see it so someone else will have to deal with it.

 

Before we let you go, teach us something that we don't know: In Bulgaria nodding your head means no and shaking your head means yes.