Success in the sporting world runs in the family with the O'Brien siblings from Clarinbridge, Galway, as Sean and Katie are both at the top of their games.

Paralympic rower Katie O'Brien has been winning medals in the boat, while Connacht’s Sean O’Brien has fought to become one of the starting locks for the province in the PRO 14.

Speaking to OTB Sports, the pair suggested that they were able to achieve so much in their chosen sports thanks to the overwhelming support they receive from their home town.

“It is brilliant, like up the Bridge!”’ Katie O'Brien said. “We love Clarinbridge and we love coming home.

“When I was away up in Dublin, I’d be buzzing driving home into Clarinbridge. You’d come into the local shop, and [you would greet people] like, ‘how are you Mary?’

“You will meet with all of the locals and have a good chat. Your hand will nearly be sore driving down the road because you are waving at everyone.

She mentioned that it is not just them that feel the support of their neighbours, as the village celebrates every achievement, no matter how big or small.

“It is such a lovely place to live, and everyone is so supportive of everything that we have ever done,” she said.

“Even if it was, in schools you would be doing the community games, or a chess tournament is nearly as big a deal as Sean going to play in the final of the PRO 14 or PRO 12 at the time.

“They make a big deal of everything and they are so supportive of everyone in the village.

“It is not just us; it is every child and every adult, and everyone is part of everyone’s lives.

“They are there at the toughest times for us and there at the best times for us. So Clarinbridge is a big part of our lives and we really love the community here.”

Sean O'Brien of Connacht during the Guinness PRO14 Round 8 match between Connacht and Dragons at the Sportsground in Galway. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

One O'Brien inspires the other

It has not always been plain sailing for the O'Briens, though, as both of them have had their fair share of setbacks.

Katie in particular, who has spina bifida, has had to undergo numerous operations, and came close to losing her left leg.

Despite all of this, she has continued to strive to be the best on the water and has not let the adversity get her down.

“I have said it before that Katie is absolutely incredible for just facing up to adversity and just taking it in her stride and excelling in that adversity,” Sean O'Brien said.

“When I am in the low ebb of my injuries or I have been having some tough moments where I don’t seem like I am progressing at the rate I would like to be progressing… is almost laughable when I look at Katie and the hardships she has endured with a smile on her face.

“It really centres me and makes me realise that it is what I make it. Even if I am having a bad injury and it is not heading in the right direction, it does not mean that I need be down on myself.

“It does not need to impact my life in its entirety. It has been fantastic to have that maturity that Katie has shown over and over again in her life beside me as an example.”

Bank of Ireland are proud supporters of rugby in Ireland. As sponsors of the four competing provinces of Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster Rugby, they’re celebrating those who Never Stop Competing - on and off the pitch.

Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!

Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.