11 May 2018

Göran R Buckhorn has watched an entertaining video.

Gary and Paul O’Donovan, the rowing brothers from Skibbereen, Ireland, became household names overnight after winning the silver medal in the lightweight double sculls at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. They became heroes in their home country and beyond after giving comic relief wherever they showed up in the media. They always seem to joke around and are an easy-going pair, who have found friends everywhere in the large rowing community.

Red Bull, the energy drink company known for marketing their product with extreme sports, including rowing, published a video on YouTube in their series “Way of the Wildcard” on 9 May. In the 13-minute film by Jonny Madderson and Jono Stevens, Gary & Paul O’Donovan: The Brothers from the Back of Beyond, the O’Donovan brothers prove that they are as funny as ever. It is also made clear in the film that success can come to anyone who works hard, even if money is lacking. The O’Donovans say that there is no secret behind their success, which might be true. Though, I would like to argue that it probably takes a town like Skibbereen, with its supporting people, to pull off what Gary and Paul O’Donovan did in Rio.

Now, sit back, relax and be entertained by the O’Donovan brothers. Be aware that there is some foul language in the film, but it somehow never comes out as bad when there is an Irish twang to it.