WHAT IS believed to be the biggest ever crowd to welcome home an All-Ireland team gathered in the village of Rathmore last night, yards inside the Kerry border with Cork, writes ANNE LUCEYin Rathmore
The first stop for the special Kerry team train shortly before 6pm with their 36th title saw local heroes Tom O’Sullivan and Aidan O’Mahony jointly shoulder the Sam Maguire cup on to a special stage alongside the train station to deafening cheers and a sound track of Simply the Best.
“This cup seems to love this place,” local GAA chairman Eoin Casey remarked to a cheering crowd as the whole team and its selectors ascended the state.
Tadgh Kennelly’s new career would be as solo dancer, he remarked as the former Sydney Swan’s star danced a jig on stage.
The chairman of Kerry county board reminded his 2,000-strong audience of their dejection in 2008, after the team lost to Tyrone.
“You remember last year and we were here with very long faces? We promised you we’d be back with Sam and here we are.” Mr Conway was one of a number of speakers to single out the special support the team had received this year.
His remarks were echoed by manager Jack O’Connor who thanked supporters and said: “We needed a lift at times and you gave us that lift.” Among the so many children who had gathered were the players of tomorrow, he said.
“Ye’ll be up on this stage in 10 years’ time,” he encouraged them. Introduced individually, the biggest cheers were reserved for the local men and for Colm “Gooch” Cooper.
Border football gave a special edge to players, Mr Conway said.
Rathmore club player Aidan O’Mahony – man of the match in 2006 – told supporters who included several family members: “I told you last year, ye will never have to cross the border to see the Sam Maguire.” Man of the match for 2009 Tom Sullivan, who like his club mate works as a garda, promised to keep his speech short. “Text it so,” came the riposte from the crowd.
Meanwhile, a dejected Cork squad took part in the traditional homecoming celebrations last night having taken the train from Dublin at 4pm, arriving in Mallow at 6pm and on to Cork’s Kent Station an hour later.
The homecoming took place at the South Mall’s junction with Parnell Place, with some 500 people there to help welcome the team. It was attended by, among others, Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin.