Magical, incredible, amazing: Irish stars Becker and Mawdsley feted as they arrive in Dublin

Irish athletes Sophie Becker with her silver medal, and Sharlene Mawdsley with her gold and silver medals, at Dublin Airport with supporters on their return home from the European Athletics Championships in Rome. Picture: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

Magical, incredible, amazing, and inspirational — just some of praise heaped on Sophie Becker and Sharlene Mawdsley when they were welcomed home on Thursday by excited young fans as they flew into Dublin with their European Championships medals.

Some were surprised at how heavy the silver and gold medals were as they cheered and grabbed the chance to pose for a precious photograph with their idols.