The performance earned the Ireland team their first medal of the Rio Games.
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The O’Donovan brothers broke out their trademark strong finish to cross behind France and secure silver for the Irish and a first rowing medal for their country.
They drew past British competitors Will Fletcher and Richard Chambers and ended up coming just half a second behind the US.
The Irish pair clocked six minutes, 31.23 seconds which left them only 0.16 seconds ahead of Norwegian pair Kristoffer Brun and Are Strandli.
“We put it up to the French as best we could”, the 22-year-old told RTE.
They said: “We’re hugely honoured and so proud to be representing Ireland”.
They were at it again after winning, claiming they’re anxious to go home because boxer Micky Conlan had threatened to ‘box the heads off us if we didn’t get the gold’.
The brothers, from UCD and Skibbereen rowing clubs, are known for their rapid-pace finishes to races – and, while they remained in contention for most of the race, they only pushed into the top three in the latter stages.
By the 1500m mark they were in the silver medal position and were hunting down the French who looked by be tiring.
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We anxiously await their silver medal celebratory interview!
