Tag Archives: Olympic

THE Clare uncle of gold medal winning Olympic rower Paul O’Donovan has spoken of their family’s pride in his achievement describing the historic win in Paris as “fantastic”. O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy won a gold medal in the Men’s Lightweight Double Sculls final at the Paris Olympics and among those cheering them on during the finals at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium by Paul’s uncle Mike Doab. Mike and his wife were part of a strong contingent of Irish fans who travelled to Paris to show their support for the Cork rowers as they successfully defended their title to claim back-to-back golds, crossing the finish line with a time of 6:10:99. O’Donovan has become the first Irish athlete to medal at three Olympics, having previously won in Rio and Tokyo. He is the grandson of John Doab from Connolly Villas in Ennis, with their uncle Mike who lives in Ennis, is well-known locally having run a butchers in Clarecastle. Speaking in …

A BALLINA swimmer says the “amazing” Olympic experience and homecoming will provide him with additional motivation to to and qualify for the Paris Olympics in 2024. Finn McGeever is still taken aback by the rousing reception he received from people who lined the streets of the twin communities of Ballina and Killaloe to welcome him home from the Tokyo Olympics last week. He believes this is one of the motivating factors that will help him to continue his improvement to try and book a second successive Olympic swimming spot in three years’ time. “Loads of things have happened in recent weeks that will maximise the incentive to try and qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics,” he told The Champion. “The support from the village, coaches and my family and the Olympic experience gives me more incentive to try for the next Olympics.” The 20-year-old former St Anne’s Community College student made history by being part of an Irish swimming relay …