Ireland's Golden Boys write final chapter of a Lightweight rowing legacy

O’Donovan and McCarthy’s will be the last ever winners of a men’s lightweight double sculls race that has known just six champions in eight runnings

O'Donovan, left, and McCarthy of Team Ireland celebrate with fans

We’ll never see their like again. Ever. Lightweight Olympic rowing, after Friday’s events here on the outskirts of Paris, is now, officially, a thing of the past. Consigned to the attic of Pierre de Coubertin’s continuously remodelled house beside boxes labelled tug-of-war, motor boating, sculpture and literature competitions.

“We had our last ever weigh in this morning,” said Fintan McCarthy on Friday, and in a voice that suggested it had just then occurred to him. “I’d say this is the skinniest I’ll ever be. Weighed in at 68.9. A bit under the target. Who knows what would have happened if I had drank a little bit more? 69 is the target. Ahead of the curve.”