LIKE most people in Rathcoole last night, Denis McHugh got a bit carried away.
"Arise, Rathcoole, and take your place amongst the nations of the world," he shouted, in the biggest day of his career as a chairman of the community council. The home crowd roared.
After its week of Olympic glory, his south Dublin "nation" had a homecoming for its queen, still waving and smiling after a jaw breaking day.
Before the bus rounded the corner on the Naas dual carriageway she avid fans had gathered with cam corders, cameras and umbrellas to catch the first glimpse.
Six year old Andrew Waters practised his marching steps to the ear splitting sound of the Rathcoole and District Pipe Band. The band split up about five years ago, according to Andrew's grandfather, Tom Cullen (73). Too many distractions such as television.
But it got a new lease of life two weeks ago, "when Michelle started gold digging". They dusted down the bagpipes and rehearsed every night for yesterday's homecoming.
"She had no respect for old men's hearts. I died a thousand times that week," Tom said.
The RTE chopper arrived first and then, on time, the glory bus pulled in. Atlanta to Dublin to Rathcoole, the destination sign read. "Bang on time. Fair play to her," they said.
"Welcome home, Michelle," they shouted, everyone smiling, waving."
One boy couldn't believe what he was seeing. "Look, look, she's holding the medals. Look." In the middle of the main street the band started playing as the bus inched towards the stage, a container truck. The master of ceremonies did a Jim Sherwin and talked her to the touch line.
"She's only 200 metres away." And then to the sounds of Rathcoole's national anthem, Michelle, My Belle, and an explosion of confetti they piled on to the truck.
The Air Corps helicopter rocketed over the crowd, Tricolour trailing. The chairwoman of South Dublin County Council, Therese Ridge, nominated her the politically correct first free person of the area.
Then they presented her with a silver platter, to go with the gold and bronze she wore around her neck. "I never knew so many people could fit into Rathcoole," she said, pronouncing herself speechless by the turnout.
Another round of thank yous. And then she talked about how the world media never considered her a contender before Atlanta. "Now everybody knows about the little woman from Rathcoole." Then into the old courthouse, where she signed autographs and posed for pictures.
Her manager, Kathy Stapleton, said she had three months of engagements ahead of her. "Someone presented Erik with a pen and we've adopted that for signing the contracts. I hope to make a fortune for her. No one deserves it more."
