Colin O'Riordan: 'If I could bottle that feeling, you could conquer the world with that stuff'

Colin O'Riordan flew back to Sydney yesterday after a memorable stay at home in Tipperary. While the loss to Mayo occupies his thoughts right now, he will soon return to the memory of that Munster final

“My first five steps after it were jumps and then I fell to my knees with the emotion. That’s the thing I will probably come back to most and have a little smile every now and again,” says Colin O'Riordan. Picture: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

With a suitcase full of memories, Colin O’Riordan headed back to Sydney yesterday. His bucket list that bit shorter after returning to county colours thanks to the generosity of his employers Sydney Swans and helping Tipperary claim that historic Munster title last month.

His recollection of that day is not going to leave him any time soon. Like a favourite book, he knows it is there, to be taken down from the shelf whenever he is inclined. But right now he’s not. No, it’s the 13-point All-Ireland semi-final loss to Mayo that occupies his thoughts.