Posted on 08/27/2004 1:41:52 PM PDT by Happygal
Showjumper Cian OConnor tonight won the first gold medal for the Irish team at the Athens Olympics.
The 25-year-old rider, who lives in Rathoat, County Meath, took first place in the Showjumping final with a flawless final round on his horse Waterford Crystal.
OConnor, who had four faults in his first round, punched the air in delight after clearing the final fence.
It was the first ever gold medal for the Irish equestrian team.
Two other Irish showjumpers, Kevin Babington and Jessica Kuerten, finished in fifth and 19th places respectively.
OConnor said: Normally Im not stuck for words but this time I am. Im absolutely delighted my horse won. He jumped fantastic. I couldnt have asked for any more.
Hundreds of flag-waving Irish supporters cheered when OConnor was presented with his gold medal. He was tearful as the Irish flag was hoisted and the band played the national anthem, Amhran na bhFiann.
OConnor took his horse on a series of celebratory laps around the Marco Polo Equestrian Centre.
The Chef dEquipe of the Irish equestrian team, Colonel Ned Campion, said OConnor had won with great style.
To be standing beside a gold medal winner, its the experience of my lifetime.
We fancied him along the line, maybe not to win the gold, but certainly there or thereabouts, he told RTE.
Robert Hall, the veteran RTE showjumping commentator, told viewers he was lost for words.
Incredible. Its an absolute privilege to be here, he said.
OConnors grandfather is rugby legend Karl Mullen, who watched the final on television at home in Kilcullen, County Kildare.
I feel so elated. I will take weeks to calm down, said Mr Mullen. This has been better than any experience in my life.
He told RTE his grandson had great sponsorship support from Anthony OReilly, the chairman of Independent Newspapers.
OConnor has been a rising star of Irish showjumping since he made his first Nations Cup appearance at the age of 18.
Earlier this year, he won his first Aga Khan trophy with the Irish team at the Nations Cup in Dublin.
The gold medal victory comes after a series of disappointments for the Irish Olympic team.
Walker Jamie Costin was ruled out through a car crash, while the highly fancied medal contender in the womens event, Gillian OSullivan, had to withdraw through injury.
Sláinte!
HAH! Thanks. I hope you can afford one sooner than I.
I don't know what brand is hot among the pirates this season.
Gateway, perhaps?
Irish horses and jockeys ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I only just realized a couple of days ago, that, that was your surname;- I visited your links page, for a look, and I came across a brilliant article by a certain female, for a certain Wexford newspaper.
We win Olympic gold, and the Clinton's leave the country! :-)
Brilliant on both fronts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Mister Landru!!!! :-)
I owe you one VERY LONG catch up Freepmail - which I will attend to this weekend, friend.
Thanks for the good wishes on the win, and hope all is well and sunny in your part of the world.
Regards to Kate, too. :-)
Hey Canuck! Looks like you 'puter and mine are doing swansongs.
I need reinvest in some new hardware myself.
BTW, you say Mazeltov, I say slainte :-)
I'm not sure I've penned anything 'brilliant' recently, but they keep paying me, so I keep turning up for work! *LOL*
Do NOT ever buy a Gateway, dude!
The hunk of junk that's currently masquerading as a piece of technology here in my house came in a piece of cow-hide.
:-)
BTW, that Chinawoman who won the 10,000m; she was so full of steroids, she robbed the Ethiopians of gold.
I can just see the pair of ye married yet!!!!!!!!!
Paula Radcliffe is a great sportswoman.
She just should never have dreamed of running the 10,000m after running 22k's only this week. WHAT was she thinking? Or what pressure was she under?
And the UK media need to back off her, and let her be, ffs.
Better they focus their attentions in that young wee boxer (the 17 year old) who has qualified to fight for a medal.
Did you see him this evening I.T.? Irish boxing coach Billy Walsh (who is a friend of mine) was helping out in the UK corner, which I thought was quite nice. The BBC mentioned Billy after the fight, and mentioned his seven Irish titles.
Oh, that's three potential marital partners Freepers have tried to pawn me off on TODAY!
Um, I'm 32.
I'm not wearing the flashing 'I'm DESPERATE' sign on my forehead, just yet! ;-)
The hunk of junk that's currently masquerading as a piece of technology here in my house came in a piece of cow-hide.
:-)
Well, Dell is not what it is cracked up to be either - my computer is supposed to be 2GHz; it has basically (after replacing the hard drive), slowed down to 2Hz.
I'd be proud too. I'll root for the Irish if a non "Dream Team"(Basketball) American isn't going to win.
I'll raise a pint to that.
I went through 3 hard drives and 2 motherboards in about a year because of that piece of trash.(Or was it 2 hard drives and 3 motherboards)
And the UK media need to back off her, and let her be, ffs.
Better they focus their attentions in that young wee boxer (the 17 year old) who has qualified to fight for a medal.
Did you see him this evening I.T.? Irish boxing coach Billy Walsh (who is a friend of mine) was helping out in the UK corner, which I thought was quite nice. The BBC mentioned Billy after the fight, and mentioned his seven Irish titles.
The British national lottery, Camelot, or whatever they are called now (wouldn't you know, coercive state monopoly like our National Lottery), put pressure on, I believe over future funding over future British athletics, but in fairness, I think Paula in the end just decided to run regardless of consequences - to face her demons from earlier on - good for her.
As for the UK media - they are full of themselves - fullstop.
As for that boxer, I was watching him fight a buck from Kazakhstan - I was shouting; beat that Muslim so-and-so
I was go glad to find out that Kerry wasn't of Irish blood. One of the names in my family is "Carey" and I really did not want to be possibly related to that joker.
Um, I'm 32. I'm not wearing the flashing 'I'm DESPERATE' sign on my forehead, just yet! ;-)
I was desparate myself (25) up to a couple of weeks ago, but I met a sexy young lass (and I think conservative) in the pub I mentioned on that recent thread that I posted about the smoking ban, I hope it works out.
HG, I won't worry about you, seen that your not, I don't know what you look like, but you seem to be saucy (Irishwomen for you), but now apart from that you and BobS DO seem to be getting very close!!!
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