O'Connor to receive hero's welcome

Ireland’s Olympic star Cian O’Connor is today facing a hero’s welcome when he returns home with his gold medal – and a state reception.

The 24-year-old and members of the Irish Olympic team will arrive back at Dublin Airport on Monday afternoon and plans are underway to make it a homecoming to remember.

A state reception is being planned for Tuesday or Wednesday and President Mary McAleese will hold a reception in Aras an Uachtarain.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has hailed Mr O’Connor’s “marvellous” showjumping performance as one of “enormous courage and determination”.

He said Ireland had a proud history in showjumping events and the win was a victory everyone in Ireland could be very proud of.

The President has also sent her congratulations to the new national hero saying the whole country could take pride in his “tremendous achievement”.

His medal, secured with a final clear round on his horse Waterford Crystal, was Ireland’s first of these Olympics and only its ninth in the history of the state.