Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy said he felt "very humble but very proud to be Irish" yesterday as he returned with his squad to a massive homecoming event in Dublin's Phoenix Park. Joe Humphreys reports
Speaking to an estimated crowd of more than 100,000 people, a smiling McCarthy said: "We were told to expect a reception, but we never, ever expected anything like this. This is amazing."
The squad took to the stage after a short visit to Áras an Úachtaráin to meet the President. There, they were also presented with a Waterford Crystal platter and toasted with champagne by Mrs McAleese and other dignitaries, including the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the North's Deputy First Minister, Mr Mark Durkan.
The President praised the "respect, courage and pride" the team had shown in everything they did.
Handing Mick McCarthy a John Rocha-designed Waterford Crystal platter, she said Irish hearts had been breaking. "We all need grief counselling," she laughed.
McCarthy passed on the champagne and sipped water. "The lull before the storm," he said. Many of the players seemed overwhelmed by the reception at Phoenix Park. When asked for his thoughts, striker Robbie Keane simply replied: "This is massive."
Defender Gary Breen said the team was disappointed with Sunday's defeat to Spain, but they were looking forward to the European Championships. "With the support we have got and the team we have got, hopefully we can win it," he said.
Goalkeeper Alan Kelly, one of three players retiring from the international side, said it had been an honour to represent Ireland. Niall Quinn, another retiree, said he had enjoyed some great memories during his time with Ireland: "But the last five weeks were, without doubt, the best I ever had."
In a coded reference to the Roy Keane controversy, goalkeeping coach Packie Bonner said that the team spirit of the squad of 22 had probably been better than that of any other Irish squad "because of the circumstances".
Speaking in a hospitality tent after the event, McCarthy refused to be drawn on the controversy. Asked whether the ex-captain might be recalled for the 2004 European Championships campaign, he replied: "I think it's a little bit unfair to stand there and ask me that question today, because it's not about that. It's about what the 22 players here have achieved, and that's for another day."
Earlier, the squad touched down at Dublin Airport after an 11½-hour flight from Seoul. The public heeded the appeals from Aer Rianta not to turn up at the airport and only a small crowd gathered there.
The squad was taken to a hotel at the airport, where they freshened up and met family and friends, before travelling on to Phoenix Park by bus.
Mr Gar Holohan, the event's co-ordinator, said that an earlier plan to fly the players to the park by helicopter had been ditched "because they wanted to stay together and we could not get a helicopter big enough to take them all at once".
It is understood that the organisers chose not to publicise the change in case people diverted from the park to line the streets instead. Before the squad hit the stage, the boyband Westlife, dressed in matching tricolour suits, performed their aptly-titled hit World of Our Own. Even they knew who the stars were last night, however, as a bigger cheer went up when some footage of the squad in action at the World Cup was broadcast on two large screens flanking the stage.
A fleet of 250 buses vehicles ferried 30,000 people from the city-centre to the Phoenix Park for the event.