President Michael D Higgins leads congratulations for Team Ireland’s O’Donovan brothers

The Skibbereen brothers already had earned cult status with their engaging interviews but will never detract from their star quality on the water.

IRELAND’S Paul O’Donovan and Gary O’Donovan have won a silver medal in the men’s lightweight double sculls at the Rio Olympics. “We’re very, very happy to come away with the silver medal”.

Minister O’Donovan added: “I am delighted for the O’Donovan brothers, they rowed an outstanding race against the best in the world, and we – along with supporters across Ireland are very proud of their performance in their first Olympic Games”.

Ireland’s Paul O’Donovan isn’t asking for much out of his post-Rio future – he’d just like to talk to someone other than his brother and teammate, Gary.

Quotes like “close the eyes and pull like a dog” have put a smile on people’s faces, so too their fine displays on the water.

The rowers will take home silver medals after second place finishes in the final of the men’s double sculls.

“I’m a bit exhausted and the legs are like jelly but we got to do a bit of celebrating and do the podium thing”, Paul began.

“We’re just alive with the whole atmosphere”.

Ireland’s Sinead Jennings and Claire Lambe became the country’s first female crew to reach an Olympic rowing final on Friday.