Major Mullingar homecoming expected for John Joe Nevin

A huge turnout is expected on the streets of Mullingar to welcome home Olympic medal winner, John Joe Nevin - and if he is able to attend, equestrian star Joseph Murphy - on Monday. John Joe returns a hero with at least a bronze medal - and after his remaining bout/s taking place later this week, perhaps a silver or gold. Westmeath County Council has vowed to give the young boxing champion the welcome home he deserves, after there was disappointment at the failure of the town to host a reception in his honour prior to his departure for London 20102. "We're going to lead organising the homecoming," said Council spokesperson Billy Coughlan last week, adding that he expects huge support for the returning Olympians from the business community and the population in general. Details of the homecoming will be announced as the week goes on. Meanwhile, John Joe himself has admitted he is really looking forward to coming home. "There's been so much build-up and hype that I'm looking forward to getting back and spending time with my family, and getting back down to earth and being the normal John Joe," he said on Tuesday morning, speaking from London. John Joe is due face Lazaro Alvarez Estrada of Cuba on 2 pm on Friday in the silver medal fight. "I'm conscious he's the world champion, so I know I have nothing to lose," said John Joe of the clash. "He's odds-on favourite with the bookies, but no-one says you can't overwrite the script, and hopefully I can overwrite the script and beat him." Prior to the 2pm meeting, John Joe plans not to let his mind mull over the fight too much. "I just like to have a laugh and play a game of pool, because if you start thinking about it, it's not a help. The best thing is not to think about it at all," he says. Around forty family members, are in London supporting John Joe, and he was delighted to be able to spend Monday with them. He's also been thrilled to have netted a serious celebrity fan: fellow Mullingar man, Niall Horan, who has been tweeting his support for John Joe all week - and who ran 1.5kms to get to the ExCel boxing stadium for Sunday night's fight against Mexican boxer, Oscar Valdez Fierro, and who met John Joe before the match.