Cork Airport was the scene of much anticipation and excitement as members of the public turned out in their thousands to welcome back Ireland’s silver medal Olympians and local boys Paul and Gary O’Donovan from Skibbereen, Co Cork.
It is estimated that in excess of 2,000 fans, friends and family turned out at the airport a week after the Olympics finished to welcome back the two brothers, who had been competing in the Netherlands at the World Rowing Championships.
Paul O’Donovan brought home a gold medal from these championships to add to the silver medals secured by him and his brother in Rio de Janeiro in the men’s lightweight double sculls.
Cork Airport’s Fire & Rescue Service welcomed the Olympic medalists with a water canon salute as their aircraft arrived on its stand at the airport. The brothers then spent time posing for photographs, talking to fans and the media.
The Cork Airport team were thrilled to play host to the brothers’ arrival on home soil and to give their fans the opportunity to welcome them and celebrate their victory.
