A Rockie fanatic runs onto the pitch before the game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
ROCKIES travelled in huge numbers again on Sunday to cheer on their heroes in Portlaoise.
Eight buses left the Austin Stacks Club at 10.45am and arrived at around 1.15pm in the Laois capital.
The nightclub area of O’Loughlin’s Hotel was taken over by Tralee folk and rocked to beat of the black and amber drums while people were fed and fuelled up for the big game ahead.
An incredible crowd took part in the march to the stadium at about 3pm and amused locals whipped out their camera phones to capture the atmosphere.
While Slaughtneil also brought big support, the Rockies won the battle of who was the loudest over the course of the game, with Billy Sheehan and his megaphone stirring up the chants.
When it was all over, the fans stayed on to show their support to the players and management who have given so much joy to the fans over the past ten months.
Scroll down for loads of fan photos from the day…
John Carroll, Paschal Power, Lana O’Shea and Marie Quirke. At back; Mike Shea, Fiona O’Shea, Francie O’Shea and John O’Connor at O’Loughlin’s Hotel in Portlaoise prior to the game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
John Smith, Joe Smith, Philip Moriarty, Siobhan Moriarty, James Smullen and Sean Kavanagh at O’Loughlin’s Hotel in Portlaoise prior to the game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Mark Teahon, Sandra Leahy, Eilish O’Brien and Neilus O’Shea at O’Loughlin’s Hotel in Portlaoise prior to the game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
The Rockie faithful at O’Loughlin’s Hotel in Portlaoise prior to the game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Bernie Somers and Angela Fitzgerald at O’Loughlin’s Hotel in Portlaoise prior to the game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Seamus ‘Mog’s O’Mahony, Ed O’Connor, Alannah O’Connor, Tracy and Shannon Dowling at O’Loughlin’s Hotel in Portlaoise prior to the game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Martina, Katie and Ann Slattery and Sean Naughton at O’Loughlin’s Hotel in Portlaoise prior to the game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
John Dillane, Tim Walsh, Eddie Dowling and Dave Scanlon at O’Loughlin’s Hotel in Portlaoise prior to the game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Mike Murphy with Aisling and Matthew Browne at O’Loughlin’s Hotel in Portlaoise prior to the game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Amy Quirke at O’Loughlin’s Hotel in Portlaoise prior to the game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Sean O’Connor, Michael O’Connor and Aidan Kane at O’Loughlin’s Hotel in Portlaoise prior to the game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Rockie supporters at O’Loughlin’s Hotel in Portlaoise prior to the game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Joe Quirke at O’Loughlin’s Hotel in Portlaoise prior to the game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
John ‘Collie’ Collins, Francie Breen and Kevin O’Carroll at O’Loughlin’s Hotel in Portlaoise prior to the game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Noreen Landers, Siobhan Naughton, Deborah Meehan, Susan Healy and Barbara Liston at O’Loughlin’s Hotel in Portlaoise prior to the game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Andrea O’Donoghue, Maria Reilly, Niamh Collin and Niamh Collins at O’Loughlin’s Hotel in Portlaoise prior to the game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Paudie Looney, Donnacha Sayers, Denis Sayers and Jimmy Carton at O’Loughlin’s Hotel in Portlaoise prior to the game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Mary Lehane, Philip Lehane, Francis Roche and Philip Moriarty at O’Loughlin’s Hotel in Portlaoise prior to the game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Joseph Kinsella, Sr Kathleen Collison, Mary Kinsella, Aileen Galvin and Sarah Galvin at O’Loughlin’s Hotel in Portlaoise prior to the game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Sean Myers and Robert O’Connor at O’Loughlin’s Hotel in Portlaoise prior to the game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Paudie Healy, John O’Callaghan, Yvonne Byrne, Edward Byrne, Alan Tobin, Mary Lacey, Lorraine Healy and Marian Griffin at O’Loughlin’s Hotel in Portlaoise prior to the game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Frankie Murphy, John Gotteridge, Billy Sheehan, Padraig Locke, Dave Billings and Adrienne McLoughlin at O’Loughlin’s Hotel in Portlaoise prior to the game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kieran Kelliher, Michelle Kelliher, Marian Lyons, Deirdre Power, Siobhan Power and Orla Coyne at O’Loughlin’s Hotel in Portlaoise prior to the game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Jackie Power, Patrick White, Francie Breen, Mark Teahon and Paschal Power at O’Loughlin’s Hotel in Portlaoise prior to the game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Aisling O’Brien, Kayleigh Quirke, Sharon Cronin, Gillian Barrett, Aisling O’Mahony, Sarah Hobbert, Nicole Roche and in front, Lorraine Counihan at O’Loughlin’s Hotel in Portlaoise prior to the game on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Rockies making their way through the streets of Portlaoise on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Rockies on their way to O’Moore Park on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Rockies making their way through the streets of Portlaoise on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Rockies making their way through the streets of Portlaoise on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Leading the way in the parade on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Seamus Smith waves the flag in front of the black and amber army in O’Moore Park. Photo by Dermot Crean
They certainly are. Photo by Dermot Crean
One man and his dog…John Collins and friend on the pitch before the match on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
Rockies making their way through the streets of Portlaoise on Sunday. Photo by Dermot Crean
great photos, Dermot. Thanks to all at TraleeToday.ie for excellent coverage of the Rockie Campaign. Looking forward to many more days out with the Black and Amber Army!