In short, if you weren't a Coldplay fan, you were fairly buggered. They weren't onstage for the entire thing - just for 15 songs while they worked their way through the four seasons - but they might as well have been.

Prior to them coming on stage, Channel 4's commentator kept saying "Coldplay are coming soon!" When they weren't saying it, there were screen captions announcing their impending arrival - 'cause the constant bed of Coldplay instrumentals wasn't enough of an indication.

Personal highlights included the majestic flotilla of scrap metal creations, Sebastian Coe's speech, clocking David off Fair City lashing the drums during God Put a Smile Upon Your Face, and Rihanna repeatedly grimacing when she joined a very sweaty Chris Martin onstage and was expected to cosy up to him in their customary non-awkward fashion for their Princess of China duet. Oh, and Rihanna not having her gusset bared for the performance.

Last night, Irish middle distance runner Michael McKillop was one of two esteemed athletes awarded the Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award for exemplifying the best spirit of the Paralympic Games and in "recognition of his work encouraging schoolchildren throughout Ireland." He also won us gold in the T37 800m and 1,500 meter races.

This evening, Team Ireland comes home with a total of 16 Paralympic medals - five bronze, three silver and a staggering eight gold - one of which is courtesy of Jason Smyth's World Record Breaking 10.46 100meter sprint.

Team Ireland are due to touch down in Dublin at 7pm this evening, "where they will be greeted by Sports Minister Michael Ring." Not sure why wasn't at the closing ceremony himself, but there must have been a very good reason.

Paralympics.ie reports: "The team are then expected to make their entrance into the main arrivals hall of Terminal 1 at approximately 8.15pm to meet their family, friends, many supporters and well wishers. This traditional homecoming will be the opportunity for the public who have shown such wonderful support to the team to congratulate and salute their Paralympic heroes. Paralympics Ireland and the Irish team are very grateful for the offer by the Government and City Council of a homecoming event similar to that held for the Olympic team, but would instead prefer to meet well wishers upon their airport return. Furthermore the Irish team and their families will be celebrated and honoured by the Government at a reception hosted by An Taoiseach Enda Kenny T.D. and Minister Varadkar T.D. in Farmleigh on Friday 14th September."

I had reason to be in Dublin Airport's Terminal 1 yesterday, and the splash in the arrivals hall to congratulate the returning athletes is impressive. Shame it's about the best home coverage they have received this Paralympics.

Channel 4, we salute you. Thank you for all the sterling coverage. I trust RTE will send on a portion of my license fee by way of gratitude.