Shocks, surprises and scandals: 13 things we learned about Ireland at the Olympics

THE dust has settled, the medals have been handed out and so it's time to pack up the tricolour flags and head for home.

Ireland's time at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro was certainly memorable. If not absolutely bonkers.

From the shock of boxing heroes like Katie Taylor and Michael Conlan exiting the competition early to the wonderful medal winning performances by sailor Annalise Murphy.

While a star was born in track and field with 400m hurdle runner Thomas Barr.

Not forgetting the worldwide phenomenon that now are the O'Donovan brothers and their great interviews.

They're not too bad at rowing a boat either.

Rounded off by the crazy ticketing scandal with former OCI president Pat Hickey arrested in relation to the scandal.

Let's for a second, as we say farewell to the 2016 Olympic Games, let's remember...

Michael O'Reilly was sent home from the Olympic Games after failing a drugs test 
[©INPHO/Tommy Dickson]

1. Michael O'Reilly became the first athlete of the games to fail a doping test

2. Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan enjoyed trying to

Hey @CaroWozniacki I think we make a great couple, what ya think @McIlroyRory pic.twitter.com/Fk2nbMjlRh

— Paddy Barnes (@paddyb_ireland) August 6, 2016

Hey @McIlroyRory .. @RickieFowler said your a pussy for not turning up! #OhhhhhFightTalk #Olympics #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/A7lEMqWwuB

— Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) August 5, 2016

Men's Light Flyweight 49kg Round of 16 Paddy Barnes was defeated by Samuel Carmona Heredia of Spain (Photo ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)

3. But the boxers started off disastrously with Paddy Barnes defeated in his first fight

4. The O'Donovan brothers became internet sensations because of their post race interviews

Ireland’s Shane O’Donoghue in action at Rio Olympics 2016 (Photo ©INPHO/James Crombie)

5. The Irish hockey team picked up their first Olympic win at the first games they had qualified for, defeating Canada 4-2 but ultimately failed to qualify from their group

6. The by now world famous O'Donovan brothers picked up Ireland's first Olympic medals in the Men's Double Sculls winning silver

Scott Evans celebrates after securing Ireland another win in the Olympics in badminton
(Photo ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)

7. We had our very own Cristiano Ronaldo too with badminton player Scott Evans ripping off his top in celebration at picking up Ireland's first ever Olympic badminton win

Mira Potkonen is declared the winner [©INPHO/Dan Sheridan]

8. Into the second week and we had another shock when 2012 gold medalist Katie Taylor was beaten in the Olympic quarter final

An angry Michael Conlan left stunned shows his feelings to the judges after the fight that he lost
(Photo ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)

9. It got worse for Ireland when Michael Conlan was controversially beaten to leave the nation stunned

Ireland's Annalise Murphy racing in Rio 2016.
(Source: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan)

10. But Annalise Murphy saved the day with a well-deserved silver medal in sailing

OCI President Pat Hickey has been arrested in Rio. (Source: Malcolm McNally)

11. Then Pat Hickey, OCI scandal erupted...

Ireland's Thomas Barr celebrates coming first in his semi-final [©INPHO/Dan Sheridan]

12.Thomas Barr became our very own Usain Bolt by breaking all sorts of records but couldn't clinch that elusive medal

13. Leaving his poor sister, like the rest of us after two weeks, with no nerves left..

If I had an Olympian sibling I would probably react the same way #Rio2016 pic.twitter.com/qVJaVz9uuG

— Mikey Stafford (@me_stafford) August 18, 2016

I think we all need a holiday after that excitement...

See More: Annalise Murphy, Featured, Gary O'donovan, Olympics, Paul O'donovan, Rio 2016, Thomas Barr

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