Paul O'Donovan also competed in the single sculls; he became the junior single sculls champion of Ireland when he was 15, and was placed fourth in the 2011 World Junior Championships.
Paul O'Donovan ayrıca tek çiftede yarıştı; 15 yaşındayken İrlanda'nın gençler tek çifte şampiyonu oldu ve 2011 Dünya Gençler Şampiyonasında dördüncü oldu.