All aboard for the welcoming home party

“SAM is coming home,” that was the triumphant chant around Kerry, last night, as preparations were being made to welcome home the victorious All-Ireland football champions.

In every green and gold-bedecked town and village, flags were fluttering proudly in the autumn breeze and celebrations to mark the county’s 36th All-Ireland success went on into the early hours.

RTÉ Sunday Game panellist and former Kerry star Pat Spillane summed up feelings when he said it was time to forget about him and other players of the past and to toast a truly great Kerry team.