Bawnboy welcomes home our Olympic golden hero

Friends, neighbours and the wider Bawnboy/Templeport community turned out in strength last Wednesday to welcome home a true hero. Not many people are fortunate to strike gold in this harsh economic climate but Johnny McKieran struck sporting gold when he defeated all international rivals to win the power walking event at the Special Olympics in Athens last week. Indeed Johnny came back to Bawnboy with two medals - also capturing a bronze in the highly competitive shot put event. It was a happy atmosphere as adults and young alike waited for Johnny. A banner from Rehabcare Cavan welcoming home "our golden hero" summed up the mood. A group of young traditional musicians entertained the crowd as they awaited the arrival of their local hero. Those present to honour this special occasion included the chairman of Cavan County Council, Sean McKiernan, Co Cavan Rehab Person of the Year, David Mulligan, local parish priest, Father Tom McKiernan and public representatives Peter McVitty, Damian Brady, Winston Bennett, Maura Maguire Lynch and Sean Smith. Also present were many of Johnny's friends from Cavan Rehabcare who were visibly delighted at his wonderful athletic success. When Johnny arrived at 8.20pm in an open-topped Morris 8 vintage car, driven by Patrick McGovern, he was welcomed with sustained applause. Waving to the crowd as he stood up in the back of the vehicle he did a tour of the village with his sister, Ann, beside him. Led by a garda patrol on the return journey it was a proud moment for Johnny, for his mother, Chrissie and family. Susan McVitty, chair of the local Special Olympics committee, was MC for the evening and she thanked all involved in preparing Johnny for the games in Athens. Included in these words of thanks were Pat Joe Dolan his original coach and present coach, Deirdre Brady of Cavan Breffni Blues. Thanking the public for their support Susan McVitty said that she was involved with the Special Olympics for many years and without the support and generosity of the people it wouldn't be possible. According to Sean McKiernan, the first citizen of Cavan, it was an absolute pleasure to be invited to the most beautiful part of Co Cavan to welcome home a true hero. Johnny McKiernan was now added to the pantheon of sporting heroes from Breffni that included the great football teams of the '30s, '40s and '50s, Catherina McKiernan and Andrew Murray, he said. "As chairman of Cavan County Council I want to say how proud the entire county is of this achievement. It is a wonderful honour for our county and I am really humbled to be a small part of this", said Sean McKiernan. The next speaker, David Mulligan, also expressed his humility at being asked to speak on this special occasion. He recalled speaking with Johnny at Cavan Rehabcare after he qualified for the Special Olympics and told him that he was already a winner and to go and enjoy himself to the best of his abililty at the games. "He did an awful lot better than that, he got a bronze medal and then a gold medal. It is great to see so many people here, Johnny is a credit to Rehab. I was chosen as Cavan Person of the Year but I am standing beside a greater person of the year", said Mr Mulligan. Pat Joe Dolan said that it was a great honour to support Johnny in his moment of glory. He was delighted when he got a text from Athens that he had won a bronze and then the great excitement when he won the gold. The star of the moment, Johnny McKieran then took the mic for further applause of welcome. He thanked everyone who helped him, his mother, brothers and sisters, Deirdre Brady of Breffni Blues. He didn't want to leave anyone out and he thanked them all. Later speaking with The Anglo-Celt he admitted he was nervous going into the finals of the power walking but he felt from the start that he could do it. He drank plenty of water and pushed himself forward beating off the challenge of a number of African power walkers. Johnny's sisters Ann and Nora were in Athens to support him at what was a momentous occasion. Afterwards everyone was invited back to the Keepers Arms, owned by Johnny's brother Brian and his wife Sheila for refreshments to finish off what was a beautiful evening of celebration.