PHOTOS: Blennerville Comes Out To Welcome Gold Cup Hero Bryan

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Bryan Cooper arrives in Blennerville with the jockey’s trophy he won for winning the Gold Cup last week at Cheltenham. Photo by Dermot Crean

THEY went mad last Friday when Bryan Cooper rode to Cheltenham Gold Cup victory on Don Cossack and last night the people of Blennerville got to cheer him in person.

The young jockey came to the village fresh from riding in Thurles that afternoon and a large crowd greeted him as he crossed the bridge on a pony and trap, led by local man Jim Sugrue.

Bryan brought the gold trophy that he won for riding the winning horse with him, as locals and people from town posed for photographs and congratulated him on the win.

Speaking briefly to TraleeToday.ie, Bryan and was delighted with the turnout.

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“It was a last minute decision to come down so it’s great to see the people come out. Thanks to Tom [Quane of Skelper Quane’s Bar] for organising it,” said Bryan.

He was well aware of the support from home after his success last Friday thanks to a video of the celebrations in Quane’s and other places in town on social media.

“I had a look at it alright, the place was pretty mad so it’s great to come home to this tonight. Fair play to them all for the support,” said the son of trainer Tom Cooper. Tom’s father Des had horses in the area, while his mother Catherine had the post office in the village years ago, thus forging strong links to Blennerville.

So has last week’s victory sunk in yet?

“Ah definitely now, over the past day or so it’s quietened down a bit. You’d come back to reality, riding again in Thurles today.”

Tom Quane said it was like a victory for Blennerville when Bryan won the race.

“There’s a lot of history here in Blennerville with the Cooper family, so it was extra special for us in the village to see him cross the line. There were fellas crying, laughing and screaming at the same time. It was like an Olympic gold medal for Bryan and it was  something we’d rarely experience here. It gave everybody a lift and the place has been buzzing since,” said Tom.

Scroll down for photos…

Bryan Cooper with girlfriend Melanie Young, sister Sarah Cooper and parents  Tom and Geraldine at the homecoming in Blennerville on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean

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John Galvin and Marc O Se with Bryan Cooper at the homecoming in Blennerville on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean

Bryan Cooper with Tom Quane of Skelper Quane’s at the homecoming on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean

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Gemma Lougheed, Teddy Reynolds, Rhona Johnston, Seamus O’Sullivan and William Dore at Bryan Cooper’s homecoming celebration in Blennerville on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean

Ann Sugrue, Marian Williams and Sharon Williams at Bryan Cooper’s homecoming celebration in Blennerville on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean

Dermot, Noreen, Anna and Claire Sugrue at Bryan Cooper’s homecoming celebration in Blennerville on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean

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Karina Clifford and Garrett Roche at Bryan Cooper’s homecoming celebration in Blennerville on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean

Michael Lynch and young fans with Bryan Cooper at his homecoming on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean

John Galvin and Paddy Moran with Bryan Cooper at his homecoming in Blennerville on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean

Catherine, Clodagh and Tom Quane with John Tarrant at Bryan Cooper’s homecoming celebration in Blennerville on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean

Fiadh, Sam and Jamie McCarthy at Bryan Cooper’s homecoming celebration in Blennerville on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean

Well wishers with Bryan Cooper at his homecoming in Blennerville on Thursday night. Photo by Dermot Crean