Shane O’Driscoll and Mark O’Donovan: A pair of heavyweights keeping the boat straight

In 2017, Shane O’Driscoll and Mark O’Donovan found another gear. After a series of near misses they blew their rivals away to win European and World Championship golds. It hasn’t made them rich, it’s barely kept a boat on the water, or a car on the road. But it kept the dream alive. Now, however, a political decision means they must start all over again and risk everything in their bid to make the Olympics.

A chill wind howls at Farran Wood. There are no boats on Inniscarra Lake this morning. The National Rowing Centre appears deserted.

Gary O’Donovan finds me in a corridor, leads the way downstairs to the gym. The hurt locker.