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.

Yesterday, Kerry appeared in their sixth final in a row and won their fifth All-Ireland this decade.

Upwards of 20,000 Kerry people were in Croke Park and nothing moved in Kerry between 3.30pm and 5pm, as everyone seemed to be indoors glued to their television sets.

About the closest stay-at-home fans could get to the action in Croke Park was by watching the game on a giant screen at the INEC, in Killarney.

Some brave Cork fans joined the Kerry majority in the tiered auditorium and the roof was almost raised when the final whistle blew.

First stop for the homeward-bound train carrying the Kerry team will be at Rathmore at about 4.30pm today, where an especially warm welcome is assured for the Sam Maguire cup and local members of the squad, Tom O’Sullivan and Aidan O’Mahony.

The train will then head for Tralee where the team will be cheered in Denny Street sometime about 7pm, following a parade through the streets of the town. The party will then move to Killarney.

Celebrations are also being planned in Glenbeigh, home of Kerry captain Darran O’Sullivan, a 23-year-bank official.

“Tá Sam ag teacht abhaile (Sam is coming home),” declared a jubilant O’Sullivan in his victory speech.

Ventry will toast native sons – the three O Sé brothers, Darragh, Marc and Tomas – while Listowel will fete Tadhg Kennelly, son of the late Kerry great in the 70s and 80s, Tim.

A former professional footballer in Australia, he came home to win an All-Ireland medal with Kerry, as his father and brother, Noel, had done.

Meanwhile, the losing Cork team official homecoming will take place on a stage at the South Mall at its junction with Parnell Place. Traffic diversions will be in place tonight from 6.30pm to 11pm. The Parade will depart Kent Railway Station at approximately 7.45pm and proceed westwards along the Lower Glanmire Road turning left onto Brian Boru Street, over Brian Boru Bridge onto Clontarf Street/ Lapp’s Quay junction and proceed to the reception area at the junction of South Mall and Parnell Place.

Northbound lanes on Parnell Bridge will close at 3pm.

There will be no through traffic on Leitrim Street, at its junction with Hardwick Street and traffic travelling east will be diverted over Christy Ring Bridge along the North City Link Road, North Ring Road and on to Lower Glanmire Road.

Traffic travelling west on Horgan’s Quay will use Michael Collins Bridge, Eamonn de Valera Bridge and Albert Street onto South Terrace.

From 2pm today parking will not be permitted on South Mall from Fr Matthew Street to Parnell Place, on Parnell Place from South Mall to Merchants Quay and on Lapp’s Quay.