Ireland has claimed yet another gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics with the Men’s Rowing Lightweight Double Sculls. 

Paul O’Donovan and Fintan McCarthy – both natives of Skibbereen – defended their Olympic title this afternoon, finishing the race in six minutes and 10 seconds. 

Italy took second place, while Greece claimed the bronze. 

This is Ireland's fourth official medal at the 2024 Olympics and its second gold.

Fintan McCarthy and Paul O'Donovan celebrate winning gold in the Rowing Lightweight Men's Double Sculls, 02/08/2024. Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

Following their win, Mr O'Donovan said "no one believed" the pair could win their second gold medal.

"We saw the odds and stuck with it," he said.

"We're very to have proven the doubters wrong."

Mr McCarthy said they had a "rocky" season and tried to keep the "nerves under wraps".

Paul O'Donovan and Fintan McCarthy on their way to receive their gold medal for Olympic Men's Lightweight Rowing Double Sculls. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

"Coming out for the final, there were no nerves," he said.

"I really felt like we were back at our best for this race and it's just amazing to be here in front of all our family.

"It's a crazy journey the last few years and it's a privilege rowing with Paul and under coach Dominic for my whole rowing career.”

Mr O'Donovan and Mr McCarthy both hail from Skibbereen, Co Cork - where large crowds gathered to watch the rowers win.

One in 725 people from Skibbereen are competing at the Paris 2024 Olympics - compared to the national rate of one in 39,000.

Skibbereen Rowing Club Coach Denise Walsh says it was amazing to witness the win.

"We're really excited - they won by a dominant clear border," she said. "It's nice to finish on a high."

President Michael D Higgins congratulated the rowers on their "brilliant achievement".

"Paul and Fintan are phenomenal sportsmen who have represented the country with immense distinction," he said on X.