Irish rowers worse for wear after whiskey

A pair of Irishmen who claimed gold in the European Rowing Championships in the Czech Republic have admitted they had a dram of whiskey before the start of the race.

Mark O'Donovan and Shane O'Driscoll smashed the field in the lightweight men's pair event, beating a field that included Russia and Italy, but most importantly Great Britain.

"I told you we'd beat the Brits," O'Donovan told RTE Sport after their triumph.

"Dominic Casey wanted to make us hungry so he kept us away from the sport for a day or two. He only made us train once a week to make us hungry and by God we'd a hunger," O'Driscoll said.

“The drop of whiskey they gave us before the race, I threw it up just now,” he continued.

"Well, he was throwing up beforehand as well,” O’Donovan replied.

The pair opened up a strong lead at the 1,000 metre mark and never looked like being challenged for the victory.