Ireland gold medalist Fintan McCarthy has opened up on his pride after securing Olympics glory last week.
Skibbereen duo McCarthy and Paul O'Donovan took home the men's lightweight double sculls title in Tokyo, Ireland's only gold medals from the Games so far.
It's been a whirlwind games for Ireland's rowers, who also brought home a bronze medal in the women's four, as they solidifed their spot as one of the top nations on the water.
And in a message to fans on Instagram after arriving back in Ireland over the weekend, 24-year-old McCarthy said he's come home from Japan more in love with rowing than he left.
He said: "Still unpacking the last few days and weeks but one thing I’m sure of is how grateful I am to have shared this experience with some of the best people there are!
"Also can’t get over the amount of people that got behind us and cheered, messaged and stayed up to watch us do our thing - it is so appreciated and I’m proud to be able to show how amazing rowing can be.
"Coming home from Tokyo more in love with this sport than ever and excited for what’s to come."
