O'Connor jumps to glorious gold for Ireland

Showjumper Cian O’Connor tonight won the first gold medal for the Irish team at the Athens Olympics.

The 25-year-old rider, who lives in Rathoat, County Meath, took first place in the Showjumping final with a flawless final round on his horse Waterford Crystal.

O’Connor, who had four faults in his first round, punched the air in delight after clearing the final fence.

It was the first ever gold medal for the Irish equestrian team.

Two other Irish showjumpers, Kevin Babington and Jessica Kuerten, finished in fifth and 19th places respectively.

O’Connor said: “Normally I’m not stuck for words but this time I am. I’m absolutely delighted my horse won. He jumped fantastic. I couldn’t have asked for any more.”

Hundreds of flag-waving Irish supporters cheered when O’Connor was presented with his gold medal. He was tearful as the Irish flag was hoisted and the band played the national anthem, Amhran na bhFiann.

O’Connor took his horse on a series of celebratory laps around the Marco Polo Equestrian Centre.

The Chef d’Equipe of the Irish equestrian team, Colonel Ned Campion, said O’Connor had won with great style.

“To be standing beside a gold medal winner, it’s the experience of my lifetime.

“We fancied him along the line, maybe not to win the gold, but certainly there or thereabouts,” he told RTE.

Robert Hall, the veteran RTE showjumping commentator, told viewers he was lost for words.

“Incredible. It’s an absolute privilege to be here,” he said.

O’Connor’s grandfather is rugby legend Karl Mullen, who watched the final on television at home in Kilcullen, County Kildare.

“I feel so elated. I will take weeks to calm down,” said Mr Mullen. “This has been better than any experience in my life.”

He told RTE his grandson had great sponsorship support from Anthony O’Reilly, the chairman of Independent Newspapers.

O’Connor has been a rising star of Irish showjumping since he made his first Nations Cup appearance at the age of 18.

Earlier this year, he won his first Aga Khan trophy with the Irish team at the Nations Cup in Dublin.

The gold medal victory comes after a series of disappointments for the Irish Olympic team.

Walker Jamie Costin was ruled out through a car crash, while the highly fancied medal contender in the women’s event, Gillian O’Sullivan, had to withdraw through injury.