They were among the last Olympians to return back to Ireland, but Gary and Paul O'Donovan received a heroes welcome on Sunday night, when they touched down at Cork Airport.

The Skibbereen brothers won Ireland's first medal of the Olympic Games, when they won a silver medal in the men's lightweight double sculls. The medal was the first Ireland have ever won at the Olympic Games in rowing.

The duo were delayed in returning home, as Paul travelled from Brazil to Rotterdam to compete in the World Championships where he won the men's lightweight sculls final on Saturday afternoon.

 All photos courtesy of ©INPHO/Ken Sutton