'Good on ya' is the day's refrain as Youghal surpasses Ironman's expectations

East Cork town buzzes with a party atmosphere from early morning as athletes are cheered on by thousands of spectators

Members of the RNLI — among the many thousands who lined the route  — cheer on the athletes during the Ironman 70.3 on Saturday in Youghal, Co Cork. Picture: Huw Fairclough/Ironman

Youghal's blossoming friendship with Ironman scaled even greater heights as the pair's weekend tryst concluded with the country's only full Ironman on Sunday.

The event brought thousands onto the streets of the East Cork town in even greater numbers than those at Friday's Ironkids and Saturday's 70.3 (half-Ironman).