IT’S been just over a month since the Kerry Ladies won the All-Ireland final, but the excitement was still fresh in the minds of Tralee schoolchildren today.

Members of the team, Aisling O’Connell, Aoife Dillane and Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh, along with managers Darragh Long and Declan Quill paid a visit to a number of schools and received a raucous welcome wherever they went.

They began at Gaelscoil Mhic Easmainn where Declan Quill teaches and the hall was packed with green and gold-clad children greeting the visitors.

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A visit to Listellick NS saw similar exhilaration in the sports hall with one pupil particularly excited. Sixth class pupil Lauren Hayes won a competition to design Kerry LGFA’s 50th anniversary jersey she said it was an amazing feeling seeing people from all over wearing the jersey.

The lads and ladies received a guard of honour arriving at CBS Primary School and faced a serious of question from pupils ranging from who their heroes were growing up to the benefits of playing sports.

The Holy Family pupils’ screaming reached Beatlemania levels in the school hall and teacher Ms Breathnach from Galway managed to get her hands on the Brendan Martin Cup even if her fellow countywomen couldn’t.

The town’s biggest primary school, Scoil Eoin, equalled all the others with their enthusiasm while Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí welcomed back past pupils Darragh Long, Aisling O’Connell and Aoife Dillane who joined current pupil Amy Ní Curtáin in being feted.

In all the schools, the players and management stressed the importance of perseverance, hard work and the benefits of sport…while also announcing the primary kids had homework off on Monday and Tuesday. TGI Friday indeed! Scroll down for photos…