Mona McSharry has made history for Irish swimming by ending the nation's 28-year wait for an Olympic medal and the sense of pride is rife across the country.
The Sligo woman had impressed en route to the final and charactersitically surged late - despite a glaring mid-race setback - in the Women's 100m Breastroke Final to pinch third place and make history for Ireland.
McSharry put in a time of 1:05.59 to land a place on the podium behind South Africa's Tatjana Smith and China's Qianting Tang.
It was a remarkable effort that prompted brilliant scenes of celebration in her town of Grange in Sligo and a across the rest of the nation.
McSharry cut a jubilant figure herself as she took her rightful place on the podium to a big ovation from the crowd in La Defense Arena.
Mona McSharry's grandfather reflects on her bronze medal win
She gave a brilliant interview after her success and she was not the only one, with her grandfather Patrick speaking to RTÉ in Grange.
He had watched his granddaughter's achievement in the company of some family members, putting what it meant into words in a brilliant chat.
"My name is Patrick McSharry, I am Mona's Grandad and we are incredibly proud of her and all the hard work she has put in over the years." he said.
"Many a hard morning in frost and snow she went swimming so all of us here in Grange are so proud.
"We have a lot of the family in Grange and with Mona and it was great that she got a medal.
"When she got more competitive the mother would go at six o'clock in the morning to Ballyshannon and again the evening and I am so proud of Mona and all of my family.
"If I had a message for Mona I would give her a big hug and tell her how proud I am."
"I would give her a big hug and tell her how proud I am."
Mona McSharry's grandfather Patrick on what he would say to the Olympic bronze medallist 🥉#RTESport #Paris2024
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Brilliant words and a brilliant interview.
What sport is all about.
