A little holy water goes a long way in the O'Donovan household

It turns out that Olympic record-breaker Paul O'Donovan didn't cry when the Irish flag was raised in Tokyo, but he does believe his grandmother helped get him over the line

Paul O'Donovan is an ambassador for FBD Insurance, principal sponsor to Team Ireland since September 2018. Picture: INPHO/Ryan Byrne.

Paul O’Donovan isn’t a holy man, but he does appreciate the prayers Ireland sent out on his behalf at the 2020 Olympics last month - especially those from his family members.

“Halfway through the final race, my grandmother got into a panic because the Germans were so close and she ran out to the kitchen to get the holy water and started throwing it at the television,” the gold medallist says, laughing. “They’d all be lighting candles for me, they’re very good. I do think it helps get me over the line.”