Does Paul O’Donovan ever row in international competition in Ireland?

Did you smash it

There’s no rowing forum (lol) so I’ll stick it in after hours

Badly Drunk Boy

Why are you asking? He won gold in the lightweight men's double sculls with Fintan McCarthy at the World Rowing Championships just today. Or do you mean solo or something?

Did you smash it

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119660364#Comment_119660364

Asking because it’s a shame one of our great sportsmen doesn’t get to compete at a high level in his own country. It makes it harder to have a legacy from his achievements if all those achievements happen in Poland, Rio, Tokyo etc

CGI_Livia_Soprano

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119660470#Comment_119660470

If the competitions of the highest calibre are being held in Poland, Rio, Tokyo etc then surely his achievements (and therefore his legacy) are even more impressive.

Did you smash it

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119660635#Comment_119660635

No, it’s harder to create a legacy if you’re own people can’t witness your achievements in the flesh. That’s obvious no?

Could you imagine how better would be if Ireland hosted a European championships and thousands of Irish could see the Irish team win gold and celebrate and share in the victory. It would take it to a much greater level and create a real legacy and fanbase.

CGI_Livia_Soprano

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119660730#Comment_119660730

I think your point would be valid if his primary concern was trying to impress Irish people rather than win a load of medals. Then, yes, his legacy would suffer from not winning exclusively in Ireland.

As it stands, however, Paul O Donovan is a champion rower so I’m presuming his legacy will stem from winning rowing competitions rather than how many Irish people could personally watch him do it.

Did you smash it

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119660881#Comment_119660881

He’s a total legend and champion of course. Not getting to ever compete in front of a home crowd in international competition does reduce the impact and legacy of his great feats.

I would say I hope Ireland makes a bid to host the next rowing European championships to give him and Fintan McCarthy a real opportunity to being shown the appreciation Ireland has for their feats but being realistic a country that isn’t small time about sport will host it.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119661020#Comment_119661020

Yes, indeed, it’s not like the major championships are only held once a year and there are a significant number of countries where these events are held. All you have to do is say “sure isn’t Paul O’Donovan a great lad, so we’ll host it next year”.

Meanwhile in the real world, major international events are planned a few years in advance. The next available euros or worlds to host are in ‘25 by the looks of things. And with events that need to be planned years out there is far from a guarantee that the top athletes will still be the top athletes or free from injury when they come about. With generational athletes like O’Donovan, even if Ireland was on the regular rotation of hosts of the major rowing championships, it would be pretty likely that there would be no overlap between hosting and the athletes career at the top. Matthew Pinsent for example did not win any of his world or Olympic medals in the Uk and he is in the top handful of most successful rowers of all time.

Did you smash it

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119661221#Comment_119661221

ultimately Ireland never host any international championships at youth or senior level at any sport so same as it ever was

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119661252#Comment_119661252

Well, that’s not true.

European Cross country championships were here just last year. We have held multiple events across any sports. Womens rugby as recently as 2017. Womens hockey euros in 2005. U20 rugby World Cup, European u18 soccer championships plus many many more

Larbre34

Ireland's most successful ever sportsman. Very impressive individual.

But his schtick during the post-race interview made him come across as a terrible w@nker to be honest.

Did you smash it

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119661366#Comment_119661366

Great, let’s have a few more; especially ones that have a legacy and grow sport