Rapturous welcome for gold medal hero
Irish gold medallist Cian O’Connor arrived back in Dublin today to a rapturous welcome.
Hundreds let out a deafening roar as the show jumping hero landed back from Athens, now catapulted into the limelight as a household name.
The 24-year-old looked delighted as he walked into the airport accompanied by bagpipes and met with a sea of tricolours and banners.
“It’s just starting to sink in,” he said. “You need a bit of luck and on the day I was just lucky.
“I thought I had a chance, the horse had gone really well all year so I hoped he could get a medal.
“Some of the riders may have said I was a 100-1 but I thought I had a chance.”
The victory marked Ireland’s first-ever Olympic equestrian medal and O’Connor was quick to express hopes it would give the sport a much-needed lift.
“I hope it will be a boost to equestrian sport in Ireland,” he added.
“For some reason it was not getting the publicity it deserved but hopefully this will push it up the agenda.”
The young show jumper, joined by his girlfriend Rachel Wyse and his family was met by Sports Minister John O’Donoghue.
He thanked the entire Irish team for its dedication and commitment, describing them as an inspiration to all.
“In the history of show jumping Ireland has had some great giants,” he said.
“Suffice it to say it is entirely appropriate that Cian O’Connor should put the jewel in the crown and the crowning glory of Irish equestrian sport has been achieved."
