Golden Moment

OLYMPIC CHAMPION. Two words which have struggled to find a home in the Irish lexicon cheered a nation last night.

They now belong to Cian O’Connor, a 25-year-old who in partnership with Waterford Crystal catapulted his sport into the headlines with a sensational victory in the individual show jumping final at the Olympic Equestrian Centre in Markopoulo.

There was the Medal Ceremony, the national anthem and the lap of honour. Athens seldom hears Amhrán na bhFiann. After last night’s lump in the throat rendering rendition, the Greeks may never forget it. And all the while O’Connor grappled with a golden friend and his place in Irish Olympic history.