Olympic winner 'Ciano' warmly welcomed home

Cian O'Connor received a rapturous welcome from more than 1,000 people on his return to his new home in Ratoath, Co Meath, last night.

Cries of 'Ciano, Ciano' reverberated through the sparkling, new Ratoath GAA clubhouse, itself a testimony to voluntary sporting effort, when the beaming 24-year-old arrived there just before 9 p.m.

Flanked by girlfriend, Rachel Wise, and his father, Gerry, Cian was clearly thrilled with the warm-hearted reception.

"I didn't expect to get this, I didn't think people actually knew I lived here," he said.

Although a resident of Ratoath for little more than a year, Cian is now the village's most famous son.

To mark his tremendous achievement in Athens, he was presented with a crystal vase by parish priest Father Gerry Stewart on behalf of the community.

Not to be outdone, Ratoath GAA club chairman Hugh Daly told Cian he now had honorary membership of the club and a special club jacket "to keep you warm in the stable yard".

Mr Daly described Cian as a model example for all the young sports people of the area, many of whom had turned out last night. Father Stewart said this was "a truly historic occasion for Cian and all of Ireland, especially Ratoath". With his "flawless performance", Cian had brought great honour to himself and his country. "You did us all so proud."

Sporting his gold medal, which all the local children clamoured to touch, Cian said it was "fantastic to see so many familiar faces".

"I'm so happy," he declared to thunderous applause. "I'm privileged that my success touched everybody so much."

He added with an impish grin that people should keep a lookout for car thieves in the area, a reference to his car being stolen just before he left for Athens.

With characteristic modesty, the young man told the crowd: "I'm very lucky, my horse jumped very well for me."

He also paid warm tribute to his groom, Jane Doyle, "one of the backbone of my team".