Gold medallist Daniel Wiffen’s home village of Magheralin was fittingly bathed in summer sunshine, the morning after his phenomenal Parisian swim.
Leaving aside the Armagh or Down debate – both are claiming the 23-year-old swimmer – everyone was genuinely delighted at his achievement.
Speaking to The Irish News, Magheralin parish secretary Claire Katney said she had watched Daniel’s “sensational” men’s 800m freestyle swim with her husband and two children.
“We thought it was fantastic because he is part of the parish. He was an altar boy in our church, St Patrick’s and St Ronan’s Church, involved in parish life,” she added.
“We were just delighted. He had said he was going for gold, and he did. It was fantastic for the community, especially for the kids watching, to see that. My two children were delighted. They were excited, shouting, jumping up and down. We will be watching him now at the weekend in the 1,500ms. We can’t wait.
“I thought he was brilliant. He was so proud with his flag flying for Ireland and flying the flag for us here in Magheralin,” said Ms Katney.
Joan Smith took a minute out from serving customers in her busy butcher’s shop to congratulate Daniel.
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“We are feeling very elated for the young lad,” smiled Ms Smith.
“I was watching Daniel’s race. I was on the edge of my seat. I was jumping at that TV, and I was saying, ‘Don’t lose it. Don’t lose it’.
“His performance was absolutely fantastic, and he interviewed lovely. Very humble, which I thought was lovely. That swim came from dedication. Think of all the starts. The parents deserve a medal as well as his twin brother.”
Parish Priest Fr Feidhlimidh Magennis said he had watched Daniel’s swim and knew immediately he was “extremely good”.
“I thought he was very strategic in the way that he ran it. For someone who is competing in his first Olympics, he had the maturity to be able to play the field and race it well. I was very, very impressed,” said Fr Magennis
“The whole parish is pleased. People gathered in the GAA clubhouse to watch. Daniel and his brother, Nathan, attended St Patrick’s PS here and the principal Marie McGrath said all the pupils knew about Daniel taking part in the Olympics. They were all rooting for him. We even mentioned it at Mass.
“We are looking forward to welcoming him back to the school in September.”
