Olympic fever grips Tipperary as home town supporters cheer on Daire Lynch

Sandra Wall and her mother Helen cheering Daire Ryan to victory in the Olympic semi-final on Tuesday at the Plaza in Clonmel. Pictures John D Kelly

placeholder image — Sandra Wall and her mother Helen cheering Daire Ryan to victory in the Olympic semi-final on Tuesday at the Plaza in Clonmel. Pictures John D Kelly

Hundreds of people take to the Plaza in Clonmel to support Olympic rower

Olympic fever gripped Clonmel on Tuesday morning as hundreds of people gathered at the Plaza to show their support for Daire Lynch.

A big screen was erected at the Plaza for the occasion and locals availed of the opportunity to collectively cheer on Daire Lynch and his double sculls partner Philip Doyle in their bid to reach an Olympic Games final.

There was great excitement on the Plaza as the Irish team won the semi-final to secure their place in the final on Thursday.

The impressive public realm project of the Plaza offered a wonderful setting as it allowed people of all ages to support the Clonmel rowing hero. “We are all very, very proud of Daire.The club in Clonmel has waited 150 years for this and now finally a rower from the club has a chance to win an Olympic medal. Daire is a jewel and everybody in the club is absolutely thrilled for him and his family,” said Paul Nugent, Clonmel Rowing Club PRO.

He paid tribute to all involved in Clonmel Rowing Club since it was founded in 1869 and said the day belonged to so many people who kept the club going during difficult times.

“What Daire is doing now will secure the future of the club for many years to come,” he said.

Another proud member of the club, Sandra Wall, said they could already see the impact of the achievements of Daire on the club.

“It is massive to have one of our own competing now for an Olympic medal.We all could see what the O’Donovan brothers did for rowing in Rio and now Daire is doing it. To have our own local boy doing it is amazing. Every young kid will want to give it a go.

“My own nephew told me he wanted to be in the Olympics so it is great to get young people interested in the sport,” she said.

“Daire only took up the sport in Transition Year. It is amazing what he has done. I remember being at his first event in Castleconnell for an U/16 single sculls. His last words to me before the start of the race were ‘what do I need to do to win’ and that is where it all began for Daire,” said Helen McNamara who was one of his coaches in Clonmel Rowing Club.