Irish athletes didn't have the most successful Olympic Games in terms of medal haul, but a number of new Irish sporting stars were born thanks to their undoubted talent and large personalities.
Over the course of the last two weeks we have become experts in badminton, diving, laser radial sailing, double sculls rowing, modern pentathlons, and even long distance race walking, but often times the interview after the fact was more enjoyable than the sport itself.
National records were set left right and centre, and viewing records on RTÉ's social media accounts were likely smashed too.
It was genuinely difficult to narrow this down to a top five (we've included only RTÉ interviews to make it more specific), but here are the best interviews from the Rio 2016 games.
#5 - O'Donovan Brothers Post-Race Silver Medal Interview
"Mick Conlan said he'd box the head off us if we didn't get the gold" #rterio2016 https://t.co/LGELc2W2PP
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 12, 2016
We're dreading going home now 'cause Mick Conlan said he'd box the head off us if we didn't win the gold.
The always tricky follow-up album, days after going viral for winning their heat the now famous O'Donovan brothers from Cork went from viral hit to national treasure with their performance after securing a silver medal in the men's double sculls rowing.
#4 - Thomas Barr 400m Hurdles 4th Place Interview With David Gillick
A thrilled Thomas Barr looks forward to a 'wide open' Olympic 400m hurdles final https://t.co/ul9puAw2Ri
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 17, 2016
It's unbelievable. How many people have run 47 in the world? Probably the four of us in that final.
Thomas Barr surprised everyone (apart from Balls.ie's John Dodge of course) by reaching the finals of the men's 400m hurdles and became a star in the process. After winning his heat in stunning fashion, Barr qualified for the final where he came agonisingly close to a medal with a superb run, and then caught up with David Gillick for a bloody brilliant interview.
#3 - O'Donovan Brothers Introduce Themselves To The World
The O'Donovan brothers took the choppy water conditions in their stride to win in Rio today https://t.co/lJNoLL4OrYhttps://t.co/AuWALUfm4W
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 8, 2016
Djunno we're well ushed to a bitta wind dat kinda ting wouldn't phase us atall.
The one that started it all. After winning their double sculls heat Gary and Paul O'Donovan became huge hits on social media for their craic-filled interview, where they revealed their joy at someone shouting "Up Skibb!" from the grandstand.
So good.
#2 - O'Donovan Brothers Studio "Podium Pants" Interview
Hi, lads, how are things?... We're in Rio. The background may look superimposed but 'tis very real.
We did the podium thing, and got to put on the podium pants as well which was nice.
The first one was charming, the second interview was hilarious, but the third big O'Donovan interview of the Olympic games was an absolute masterpiece. Darragh Maloney was in stitches as Ireland's new heroes cracked a joke in every line delivered with their delightful Skibbereen patter.
Podium pants and pizzas out in Rio but the O’Donovan brothers are missing a 'national holiday' back in Skibb! https://t.co/zkeny9a7my
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 12, 2016
It genuinely pains us to place this interview in second place, but...
#1 - Mick Conlan 'AIBA Are Fuckin' Cheats' Interview
Not only was it surreal to watch an Irish athlete go after a sporting organisation in such a fashion, and under such circumstances, but what Michael Conlan did after being robbed of his Olympic dream is so important for amateur boxing.
AIBA have already started at least attempting to appear to be getting their act together by sending referees and judges home from Rio, but the eyes of the world were drawn to the corruption that still is clearly evident in the sport, and that was thanks to Mick Conlan.
It was an incredibly well-spoken rant considering how high his emotions were running, and jaws dropped in living rooms and offices all over the country as he went after AIBA, swearing on RTÉ and all...
While we didn't quite bring home the medals we thought we were capable of... 2016 is going to be one hell of an episode of 'Reeling In The Years' in 20 years time.
