It is nearly one week since "that" moment when Cian O'Connor stood on the podium in Athens, as Jane Doyle and Waterford Crystal stood behind them, and the Irish Anthem rang out over the Markopoulo Stadium and perhaps it is finally sinking in, for everyone concerned, that Cian and Waterford Crystal have won Ireland's first Equestrian Gold medal in the Individual Showjumping - what an achievement for this small country which has been gaining in strength in all areas from economics to equestrian and everything in between and they can lay claim to the current World Champion and the Olympic Gold medallist - quite an achievement!

Today, Thursday, Cian and his entourage visited his mother's home in Johnstown to give the people he grew up with the opportunity to say hello, and maybe get a touch of the medal. Much has been said about Cian's riding beginnings and this evening is another piece of his life - when Cian's dad Taidgh gave him his precious hunter, Radiman, it was moved to Kill International Equestrian Centre, where Cian would spend as much time as possible - it is maybe even safe, this long after he has left school, to say that many of the livery clients at Kill at that time were instrumental in running him up to school at the very last minute before he was in trouble for non-attendance!

The Kill of today is a new, modern facility, which doesn't in any way resemble the yard Cian first cycled into 10 years ago - but it is a place which often sees Cian and his crew drive into to jump their team of horses - in this lead up to Athens Olympic Games it has not been unusual to see Waterford Crystal having "a play around" the 1.10m track - and it was a horse happy to be jumping without pressure and for pure pleasure - and Cian was always relaxed on these visits - and no doubt once this wonderful horse has had a well deserved holiday they will again be seen at Kill, popping around the tracks - this is a wonderful experience for so many kids who now know that the horse that Cian was jumping with them there, has a gold medal to his credit!

The question everyone has been asking at these homecoming celebrations is "will Waterford Crystal be sold now" and it is one which Cian answers with a measured carefulness - he is high in his praise of his sponsors Tony Riley from Independent News and Waterford Crystal, after which the horse is named - he has explained that the sponsorship agreement reaches its "close by date" at the conclusion of the Athens Olympics - but who could have envisaged a gold medal? It is obvious by his answer, that Cian would love nothing more than to keep this horse and that he would eventually like to see him retired to the field possibly with his other two "special horses" Radiman and Normandy.

The jumpingaround.com crew arrived at Johnstown wondering whether perhaps people were "all-Cianed out" - but the answer became obvious when we got to the crossroad at the N7 into Johnstown - no!!! They were not - the Garda were directing traffic and this was the clue that many people had turned out to see Cian on this mild evening in County Kildare and as we were directed to the Press carparking area we got a glimpse of just how many had turned out to see Cian and his gold medal!

There were people everywhere and the tiny village of Johnstown which was home to Cian for most of his life had decorated itself in all the finery for the welcome to their "son" - the party atmosphere was contagious and the smiles were everywhere!

Cian, girlfriend Rachel, sister Pippa, Ryan Crumley and Ronan Corrigan sauntered into the carpark area quietly and without fanfare but the waiting fans quickly spotted them and Cian was mobbed by well wishers and children wanting hs autograph - and Cian obliged them with a ready smile.

Our Irish readers will be well aware that just days before Cian left for Athens his car was stolen and in it was his "lucky green jacket" - the word went out in all the press that he wanted his Irish International jacket returned, and the car if the thieves could bring themselves to do so!

And in typical "it could only happen in Ireland" - the theives contacted the local police to tell them where the car and jacket were and all things were returned to Cian and obviously this green jacket is now very lucky for him!

But having followed Cian's homecoming from themoment he landed at Dublin airport we are now wondering whether he is considering swapping cars - has he developed a love of being chaffeured around in the beautiful vintage open top that has been taking him through the throngs of adoring fans - we saw it at Broadmeadows Equestrian Centre and it again drove hi through the crowds in Johnstown and then when these celebratios were complete took him onto Kill International Equestrian Centre - it is a beautiful car!

Left we see Cian looking more like the main star of the movie The Great Gatsby, than a gold medal showjumper he is looking very comfortable in this magnificent vehicle - and it looks like he is enjoying being chaffeured as well!

If Cian is like other non-drinkers we know, then he probably gets stuck driving all the drunks home after a party and so is probably enjoying being driven for a change!

Cian was welcome and given great accolades for his great achievement and the hard work he put into get to the point where he was in contention for a medal - and to then win one was the just reward for such total dedication to his goals.

There were Mayors from all the neighbouring towns and at one stage the glare coming from all the gold on the stage wa salmost blinding - between the Mayoral Chains of Office and Cian's Gold medal - it was a golden evening for sure.

The faces in the crowd all told their story - they had known this young mansince he was a brash young child with a very big dream and many had been involved in his career in some way - local showjumping Judge Mary Kane was there with her husband Dermott, Vet James Sherrin and so many others and Cian was gracious in his acknowledgement of all who have helped him get where his dreams were driving him.