Mighty oaks from little acorns grow.
The tiny parish of Lisheen in west Cork has produced Olympian siblings Gary and Paul O’Donovan and could not be more proud of its famous sons.
The brothers became national sensations after their highly-entertaining post-race interview on Monday evening, where they discussed making it to the semi-finals of the Lightweight Double Sculls in Rio.
They were due to race again today but poor weather meant saw the rowing delayed until tomorrow.
When they do take to the water, they will be cheered on by their entire home parish, as this lovely clip posted by their local national school shows.
“They say it takes a village to raise a child. Here in Lisheen we don’t have a village, yet we have raised two Olympians.”
The lovely tribute was put together by Niamh McCarthy who teaches at the local school, Lisheen NS. It features Gary and Paul as both young children and men, and also acknowledges the importance of their coach Dominic Casey.
And these are no fair weather fans; they have been cheering on the lads long before the Olympics started.
Big day in little Lisheen! Congratulations to Gary and Paul on their silver medal in Italy! We are so proud! pic.twitter.com/aii8Eu46gh
— Lisheen NS (@LisheenNS) April 17, 2016
GOLDonovan brothers!!! Lisheen bursting with pride for Gary, Paul and Coach Casey, three Lisheen legends!!! pic.twitter.com/yScbrWbjlH
— Lisheen NS (@LisheenNS) May 8, 2016
Tears of joy and pride in Lisheen as Amhrán na bhFiann rings out in Brandenburg. #GOLDonovan Brothers #ERChamps pic.twitter.com/FPKukoMSVA
— Lisheen NS (@LisheenNS) May 8, 2016
Lisheen has been always been behind you Gary and Paul, now the rest of the country is too.
