Thousands gather to welcome Westmeath Olympians

Thousands thronged the streets of Mullingar and Cusack Park on Monday evening to welcome home Westmeath two Olympians, John Joe Nevin and Joseph Murphy. Star quality oozed from the open-top Dublin sightseeing bus, which didn't look out of place in a more modest urban setting like Mullingar. The arrival was reminiscent of that of Jack and the lads in Dublin after Italia '90, only with Mullingar Town Band leading the way. Down they came off the bus, and in the ensuing media scrum, John Joe's silver medal (which, he told the crowd, he has kept under his pillow since Saturday night) underlined the glamour of the occasion. Niall Horan's arrival helped, of course. The One Direction icon has struck up a bit of a friendship with his fellow Mullingar man over the course of the Olympics, and it was fitting that he, ahead of those from politics and officialdom, was on stage first to welcome his new pal. John Joe's arrival onto Cusack Park's hallowed turf, inevitably, was announced with a repeat performance of the famous 'Mullingar shuffle' - a symbol of the more flamboyant side of John Joe's boxing style. Joseph Murphy's entrance was typical of the man - quiet and unassuming, yet to the tune of no shortage of adulation from the swollen thousands in Cusack Park's main stand. Addresses of tribute followed from Westmeath County Council and Mullingar Town Council chairmen Johnny Penrose (who emerged from hospital for the event) and Gerry Sheridan. On-stage interviews followed, and with the dust settling from what will go down as one of the greatest modern Olympic Games, family is at the centre of John Joe's and Joseph's worlds right now. Joseph put marriage to his fiancée Jill off until after the games, and he reserved plenty of praise for the support she, as well as his parents, gave him during the two greatest weeks of his life. John Joe, meanwhile, paid tribute to the inspiration given to him by his family, and his late cousin David, whom he saluted after each fight at London's ExCel arena. He plans to take three weeks of a deserved rest with his family, to gather his thoughts before considering the options before him. Kudos to Westmeath County Council, who were on the receiving end of a lot of flak before the Olympics - to some extent, not without justification. But they gelled nicely with Mullingar's business and sporting communities in a multi-pronged approach to deliver the homecoming of homecomings. Credit is also due to the GAA, who housed the massive event. "When Cusack Park was suggested as a venue, we were only too happy to oblige," county board chairman, Tom Farrell said. "It's a remarkable achievement from these two young men."