Ireland’s 48-strong Paralympics team arrived to a heroes welcome as over 1,000 supporters turned out at Terminal 1 in Dublin Airport this lunchtime, with 11 medals in tow, writes Cóilín Duffy at Dublin Airport.
They're almost home...see you at Dublin Airport T1 Arrivals at 1pm to give them a great welcome #TeamIreland 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/Qe7y0r9fO1
— Paralympics Ireland (@ParalympicsIRE) September 21, 2016
Gold medalists Michael McKillop and Jason Smyth; Gold and Bronze medalist Eoghan Clifford along with Gold and Silver medalists Eve McCrystal and Katie Dunleavy received large cheers, as they entered into the Arrivals Hall shortly after 1pm.
Crowds are starting to build here at Dublin Airport for the #TeamIreland homecoming 🍀🍀🍀 pic.twitter.com/yWbGjfJ9fR
— Paralympics Ireland (@ParalympicsIRE) September 21, 2016
There was a tremendous welcome also for Ireland’s silver medalists Colin Lynch, Orla Barry and Niamh McCarthy; and bronze medalists Ellen Keane and Noelle Lenihan, along with the rest of the team who certainly done Ireland proud with each of their respective achievements.
Smyth was thrilled such a large crowd turned out at Dublin Airport.
“It’s incredible to see the amount of support we have here today,” he said.
“The thing is when we are out in Rio it’s hard to know what’s going on, but it’s great to see there has been huge support.
“I have my family here as well so I’m really enjoying it.”
Jason’s Mum Diane feels her son can book a place in both the Olympics and Paralympics in Tokyo in 2020.
“Well I’m sure he will try his best”, she said.
“Unfortunately we didn’t get to go to Rio, and it was nerve-wracking watching Jason on the TV!
“I think we would rather be there – next time we will be in Tokyo definitely!”
Hero's welcome for Paralympic team at Dublin Airport on return from Rio pic.twitter.com/e6CwZGaOpZ
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) September 21, 2016
Galway cyclist Eoghan Clifford claimed Gold in the Mens Time Trial and Silver in the Mens Individual Pursuit C3.
He was thrilled with how the games went for him.
A medal clad #TeamIreland get a heroes welcome @DublinAirport #Paralympics #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/EVQWeqS2yg
— Ray Kennedy (@RayKennedyHack) September 21, 2016
“It was really successful. Beforehand I wanted to come away with three medals, but to get two, including a Gold medal was really, really great.
“The competition in the Paralympics is extremely high. I am racing top national level able-bodied athletes, and the competition out there was really very tough.
“We put in the hard work and it was great to get the results.”
They're officially home! Welcome back #TeamIreland pic.twitter.com/dqh60wYxG6
— Paralympics Ireland (@ParalympicsIRE) September 21, 2016
Carrigaline’s Niamh McCarthy said she was thrilled to pick up a medal at her first games, having claimed silver in the F41 Womens Discus.
“I’m absolutely delighted. It was my first games, but they just went so well for me. I’m delighted to be home, but they were the best three weeks of my life!,” she said.
“It was hard to take everything in because it was so overwhelming.
“My competition was nerve-wracking, because I was placed fifth at one stage, but it couldn’t have gone better in my own eyes.”
Swimmer Nicole Turner was Ireland’s youngest team member, but the 14-year old from Portarlington, reached finals in each of the five competitions she took part in.
Welcome home and well done @ParalympicsIRE - thanks for the #disabilitypride
— Suzy Byrne (@suzybie) September 21, 2016
The Coláiste Iosagain student is already looking ahead to Tokyo 2020.
“Even to get to a Paralympics was unbelievable, but now that it over I’m pretty sad,” she said.
“I’m really looking forward to Tokyo now – it’s up and beyond!!
“I was really happy with all my races. To compete at that level is hard to believe.
“The support has been unreal. My friends from school were sending me videos of everyone watching in school.
“Now that I’m back and all my friends are here, it was really, really nice.”
Thanks to all who turned out for the wonderful welcome and the gang in @DublinAirport for all the help #TeamIreland pic.twitter.com/IM6MXkSg1f
— Paralympics Ireland (@ParalympicsIRE) September 21, 2016
