Watch: Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy get rapturous welcome back to Olympic village

The Irish heroes have returned to base and what a welcome they received.

Fintan McCarthy of Ireland waves to the crowd as he makes his way to the podium after winning the Men's Lightweight Double Sculls fina with team-mate Paul O'Donovan at the Sea Forest Waterway during the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Ireland's history-making rowing pair have returned to their Olympic Village base. And what a greeting they received.

Fresh from their gold medal triumph in the lightweight men's double sculls, Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy received a rapturous welcome from their fellow Irish Olympians and coaches. 

And South African sportswriter Gary Lemke captured the magic moment.

The welcome and love for @TeamIreland rowing gold medallists Fintan McCarthy and Paul O’Donovan as they return to the Olympic village pic.twitter.com/UaXU2ivwLl

— Gary Lemke (@GaryLemke) July 29, 2021

The pair were even coaxed back out for an encore.

And energy for a lap of honour
@TeamIreland 🥇 pic.twitter.com/SdhchJoWaZ

— Gary Lemke (@GaryLemke) July 29, 2021

No doubt the jubilant scenes are the first of many emotional welcomes the Cork pair will receive in the coming days.