‘Sometimes we would cut loose and give the other lad a bit of a bollocking’

Paul O’Donovan (21) and his brother Gary (22) will compete in the lightweight men’s doubles at the World Rowing Championships in Aiguebelette, France, next week with a view to claiming one of the top 11 spots and, with it, a ticket to next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Q: So, Paul, what are the aims next week?

A:

The main aim is to make the top 11 and qualify for the Olympics in Rio next year. We’re only rowing together since early May so it is probably a bit early to be looking for a medal. Some of the others will have been racing together for years, so making that top 11 places will be our main focus.

Q: What other Olympic qualifying events are there after this?

A:

If you don’t make the top 11 now there is a final qualification regatta in Lucerne next May. The top two boats qualify from that so hopefully we won’t be relying on that.

Q: You won a bronze in single sculls at the U23 World Championships in 2013, so why switch to a two-man crew now?

A:

The lightweight single sculls isn’t an Olympic event. The lightweight men’s doubles is so that was simple enough. Myself and Gary hadn’t raced together since, I’d say, 2010 when we were juniors, but we had some good results early on in May and June after we got together. We’d be fairly happy with our form.

Q: How hard is it to synchronise two people rowing with that power at that pace in one boat?

A:

It is almost impossible. Once you start sprinting and building up the lactic acid it is almost impossible to co-ordinate yourself and then trying to co-ordinate yourself with the other guy in the boat as well, it is difficult. We’ll keep trying anyway.

Q: What is it like training and competing at an elite level with your brother? Do ye get on?

A:

We spend literally 24/7 together. We get on fairly well. We don’t have too many arguments. Sometimes alright we would cut loose on each other and give the other lad a bit of a bollocking but because we are brothers we would get over it fairly quickly. It would be forgotten in half an hour. It probably helps us get on with things inside the boat: There is no beating about the bush and worrying about feelings and that, so it is easier that way. We get on outside the boat as well. We probably do everything together at this stage.

Q: Why rowing, by the way?

A:

Our father Teddy used to of a bit of rowing around his early 20s. He never did anything major in it but when he retired he stayed involved with the rowing club. When myself and Gary were seven or eight he got into the coaching side of things and started bringing us out in a cox double, training us once a week. It just took off after that and we got two of our friends from school to join us. We still played a bit of football and rugby and things like that for a fewyears but the love for rowing started to grow on us. We got addicted after that and stuck at it.

Q: What sort of form are you guys in?

A:

We are in good enough shape at the minute. We had some good results at the end of May and start of June. We finished fifth at the European Championships and we have had a good bit more time together since. I think we can be pretty confident that we are in good shape. I am over a bit of a sickness as well.

Q: The bronze at World U23s in 2013, is that the highlight so far?

A:

It’s definitely one of them. That’s the only world medal I won, but I came fourth at senior level last year in the lightweight singles. I know it’s not a medal, but that was probably better and I was only 20 last year. I missed the 23s this year unfortunately because I was concentrating on the doubles with Gary. I’m U23 again next year, but the worlds are on just shortly after Rio so I’ll have to see what way I am then, if I make it to Rio or what.

Q: What stage are you at studying physio in UCD?

A:

I’m in third year, but I’m splitting the year over two years. I am going on work placement now the end of September down in the South Infirmary Hospital in Cork. That will be handy and it will allow us to spend a bit of time in the double this side of Christmas.

Q: Does that physio background help you with your rowing?

A:

It definitely does. You have a better idea of how the body works. You can monitor it that bit better. Because I have been able to do that I haven’t been injured at all this last few years so that is definitely a plus.

Q: How long do you think you can/will want to continue rowing elite level?

A:

With rowing you kind of peak around the late 20s or early 30s, but the decline doesn’t come too quick after that so you can maintain it at a high level for a long time after that. You have guys in their early 40s still winning Olympic medals so it is possible to have a long career. If you can stay injury free it helps too.

Q: So, do you think will you be looking to reach the Olympics when you hit forty?

A:

I dunno about into the early 40s, but I would definitely hope to have a long enough career because I really enjoy it. Maybe into my30s anyway.

Q: Is Rio always in the back of your kind or is annoying to be constantly asked about the Olympics?

A:

We would always picture it as being the main goal rather than the World Championships this year. The Olympics is the pinnacle of everything and it only comes around every four years. The Worlds are just a step along the way to get there. We’d happily take 11th here and qualify and have a right good go at the Olympics. With our age as well, the extra year together Rio will definitely be a better prospect for us.