Heroes reception for Team Ireland

Team Ireland received a rapturous reception after returning home from the 2008 Olympics via Dublin Airport today.

Pride of place went to our three boxers, Ken Egan, Darren Sutherland and Paddy Barnes, who claimed one silver and two bronze medals, Ireland's only podium finishes at the XX1X Olympiad.

Irish head coach Billy Walsh and Zuar Antia, who worked the Irish squads corner in Beijing, were part of the returning Team Ireland squad along with IABA President Dominic O'Rourke, who described the entire Irish boxing squads performances as a source of enormous pride.

The Minister for Sport, Arts and Tourism, Martin Cullen, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Eibhlin Byrne, the Chinese Ambassador, His Excellency Mr Liu Biwei, Mr John Treacy, CEO Irish Sports Council, Mr Pat Hickey, President, Olympic Council of Ireland and Mr Declan Collier CEO of the Dublin Airport Authority, made up the official welcoming home party.

Dr John Lynch and FAI CEO John Delaney, who attended last Sundays 81Kg Olympic final between Ken Egan and Chinas Xiaoping Zhang at the Workers Indoor Arena, were amongst the many dignitaries attending.

Speaking at today's reception, Irish skipper Egan, a silver medal winner in the Chinese capitol, said that it was a privilege to captain the Irish team, adding that he was very proud of the Irish squads performance.

John Treacy, a silver medal winner in the marathon at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, stated that the Irish squad had done a fantastic job and pointed out that this was the first time in 50 years that Ireland had won three individual medals at Olympic level.

Pat Hickey, who proudly presented the Irish boxers with their medals in Beijing, said that the three medallists had done a phenomenal job.

Welcoming home Team Ireland, Minister Cullen said that they had been privileged to take part in the world's greatest, "festival of sport" and complimented the returning athletes on their participation at the Games.

"Only you know what it is to carry the hopes of a Nation in situations where there is no hiding place and where the margin between victory and defeat can be measured in hundreds of seconds. Those of us who enjoyed watching your great efforts should always remember the extraordinary test of physical, mental and emotional strength that is modern top-level competition.

"The Irish Olympic team had a very successful Games. Pride of place must go to our Boxing team, who led the way. Only China and Cuba won more boxing medals. All five boxers won at least one fight and incredibly each only lost to the eventual Gold medal winner. Kenny Egan, Darren Sutherland and Paddy Barnes join a very select group who have won Olympic medals for Ireland.

"I would like to congratulate the Irish Sports Council, the Olympic Council of Ireland, the National Governing bodies of Sport and the Irish Institute of Sport for their hard work and dedication and for the support they have given Team Ireland in their preparation for the Games over the past four years."