After a 20-year wait ‘Sam is home to stay’

THEY had been waiting for 20 years for him to come home, so up to 50,000 fans did not mind a bit when Sam Maguire was delayed by almost an hour on his trip back to the rebel county.

From the homecoming stand at the corner of Parnell Square it was a sea of red along the full length of South Mall and as far as the eye could see.

From 6pm on there were booming choruses of “We are the Champions” and “Simply the Best” echoing along the length of the River Lee.