CORK welcomed home its rowing heroes yesterday.

The O’Donovan brothers, Skibbereen’s Gary and Paul, claimed gold in the Men’s Lightweight Double Sculls at the big World Rowing Cup III meet in Lucerne, Switzerland, with Ballincollig-based Sanita Puspure taking silver in the Women’s Single Sculls.

Speaking at Cork Airport yesterday, Gary and Paul felt it was a good preparation for the European Championships in August.

Meanwhile, Gary admitted that the duo would not have long to reflect upon their victory as training for the upcoming championship looms large.

“It never stops,” he said.

The brothers also have the World Championships in September to look forward to.

Sanita was welcomed back home by her family and young children as she celebrated achieving silver.

The Ballincollig resident recalled yesterday how agonisingly close she was to gold.

“I watched the race this morning and I was like ‘come on, the finish line is just a bit further’,” she said.

As her teammates continue intensive training for the European Championships in August, Sanita admitted that she has not decided if she will go or not.

“I haven’t decided yet, I might train and focus on preparations for the World Championships and winning that,” she said.