SILVER medallist Annalise Murphy and the most successful Irish Olympic Sailing Team in history arrived in a flotilla of boats to Dun Laoghaire’s East Pier last Thursday night, where an ecstatic gathering gave them a homecoming that will never be forgotten.
Thousands gathered in the seaside town to welcome home the athletes before they were led in a parade to the People’s Park by junior sailors where they were officially welcomed home by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Cathaoirleach, Cllr Cormac Devlin.
Representing the National Yacht Club, Annalise won the silver medal in the Women’s single-handed Laser Radial while her team-mates in the three other disciplines all achieved personal best performances.
It was Ireland’s first Olympic sailing medal for 36 years and the result marked the Southside sailor’s reward for 11 years of dedication and intensive campaigning.
“I am incredibly happy with my medal,” she declared. “It has been a long road to achieve this, especially since London 2012 but it has been hugely worthwhile.
“My hope is that this medal represents an opportunity for Irish sailing to attract new people to our sport which is ideal for this island nation.”
The silver medal won by Annalise marks not only her efforts for London 2012 when fourth overall was both a disappointment for her but also the reconstruction of her campaign for Rio 2016 that saw her become an all-round performer in what is now regarded as one of the most challenging Olympic regatta venues.
From the opening race of her series, she held a top-three result through the 10-race qualification series.
Cathaoirleach Cllr Devlin stated: “Her dedication and passion for sailing has paid off and we are immensely proud of her achievements to date.
“I believe it is only right and proper that Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, members of the public, and members of her sailing club, the National Yacht Club, Dún Laoghaire, host this celebration in honour of our Olympic hero’s homecoming.
“Dún Laoghaire, as a coastal port town, has a long and illustrious sailing tradition and Annalise’s success, the first for Ireland in sailing in 36 years is one we will cherish for generations to come.”
Cllr Devlin added: “Annalise is a role model for so many other young sports enthusiasts, especially young women, who will be inspired to go on and achieve what she has done for Ireland in Rio.”
Annalise’s team-mates Finn Lynch (also of the National Yacht Club), Andrea Brewster and Saskia Tidey (49erFX) and Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern (Men’s Skiff) all achieved personal best performances.
The celebratory events in Dun Laoghaire also greeted local members of the Irish Olympic hockey team Mitch Darling, Kyle Good, Shane O’Donoghue, Alan Sothern, Kirk Shimmins and David Fitzgerald who in a tough group had a notable success in their Olympic campaign over Canada.
Dundrum’s Irish Badminton Olympic hero Scott Evans who became the first Irish person to win an Olympic badminton match, was also honoured at the event that featured a Brazilian Samba band and a dancing troupe.
