On August 12th, 2016, Gary & Paul O'Donovan won Ireland's first-ever rowing medal at an Olympic Games.
It's the overnight success story that was 14 years in the making. Let's have a quick look back at their journey from Lisheen to Rio and then the top of the world.

It was the summer of 2002 when Gary (9) and Paul (8) were taken on the Ilen River by their dad for the first time. That year, they also got their hands on an Olympic medal for the first time. Look at a young Paul with Fred Scarlett's gold medal around his neck.

Just on the Fred Scarlett pic, it took a bit of tracking down to find that photo, and even Paul couldn't recall holding the Olympic medal, but it's thanks to Arthur Little I got my hands on the photo for Something in the Water. A brilliant, brilliant photo.

It didn't take long for Gary and Paul to make waves, along with their friends, Shane O'Driscoll and Diarmuid O'Driscoll. Paul was a standout talent as a junior, it was obvious he had the X-factor.

At the 2015 senior Worlds, in the Irish lightweight double, Gary & Paul took the 11th and final Olympic qualification spot up for grabs. There was a big bonfire at Kilkilleen Cross a few nights later. The boys were heading to the Rio Olympics.

In 2016, they won European gold and were ranked fifth in the men's lightweight double going to Rio. They won their heat at the Olympics and finished third in their A/B semi-final, which sent them into the A final - and a chance to win a medal.

And they only went and did it, winning silver, behind France. This was Ireland's first-ever rowing medal at an Olympics. Legends were born. There was some party in Skibb on that Friday. Conga lines down the town.

The homecoming in Skibbereen a few weeks later was incredible to be part of. Well over 10,000 people crammed into the town, the two lads like rock stars on top of a double-decker bus. They put Skibb, the rowing club and Irish rowing on the map.

That's not the end of their story by any stretch. Paul is now a four-time senior World champion. Together, in the double, Gary and Paul won World gold in 2018, and Gary is working hard to get back in the boat for the Olympics next year.

And, as I'm never one to miss an opportunity, Gary and Paul's story is part of @skibbrowing's own story, which I was delighted to put on paper last year. The good news is you can still buy the book! Check your local bookshop or order one online. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Something-Water-Skibbereen-Rowing-Conquered/dp/1781177538