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The team bus arrives on Castle Street. Photo by Dermot Crean
THESE are nights to savour.
The Kerry team came home last night and they’ll never forget the reception they received in Tralee!
Thousands of green and gold-clad supporters lined Castle Street, all the way up around Denny Street to The Ashe Memorial Hall to welcome their heroes who arrived in a double-decker, open-topped bus.
It wasn’t just Tralee people in attendance of course, with many from north and west Kerry travelling to the capital to enjoy the festive atmosphere.
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Mayor of Tralee Mikey Sheehy welcomed the team to the stage while Alan Cantwell, MC for the evening, introduced the team and interviewed Joe O’Connor, Sean O’Shea and Jack O’Connor.
Jack said he never thought he would see crowds to rival the 1997 homecoming, but felt last night may have even surpassed it.
David Clifford with Chairperson of the Kerry County Board Pat Sullivan, manager Jack O’Connor and selector Micheál Quirke. Photo by Dermot Crean
He said the reception would never be forgotten by himself, the coaching staff and the players and they would feed off it in their efforts next year in their bid to keep Sam in the county.
Jack also made special mention of the contribution of Tralee clubs who supplied nine players to the panel.
The team then left the stage and headed off the Killarney for another reception. We were on Denny Street last night to capture the colour and the noise from the loyal fans. Scroll down for photos…
Great excitement as the bus passes the fans. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Giving Kerry a rapturous welcome. Photo by Dermot Crean
Capturing the moment. Photo by Dermot Crean
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The excitement of it all. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kerry fans welcome the team. Photo by Dermot Crean
Harriet and Lisa Ryan on Denny Street. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Young fans on Denny Street. Photo by Dermot Crean
Families enjoying the atmosphere. Photo by Dermot Crean
Families enjoying the atmosphere. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Families enjoying the atmosphere. Photo by Dermot Crean
Young fans waiting for their heroes. Photo by Dermot Crean
Families enjoying the atmosphere. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Fans waiting on Denny Street. Photo by Dermot Crean
A young fan waits for the team. Photo by Dermot Crean
Young fans waiting for the team. Photo by Dermot Crean
Clad in green and gold on Denny Street. Photo by Dermot Crean
Flying the flag. Photo by Dermot Crean
Families enjoying the atmosphere. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kerry fans enjoying the atmosphere. Photo by Dermot Crean
Great colour on Denny Street. Photo by Dermot Crean
Showing the colours. Photo by Dermot Crean
Families enjoying the atmosphere. Photo by Dermot Crean
Families enjoying the atmosphere. Photo by Dermot Crean
Ger Moran and an enthusiastic young fan. Photo by Dermot Crean
John and Cillian Murphy from Fossa on Denny Street. Photo by Dermot Crean
Cllr Sam Locke, Cllr Jim Finucane, Mayor of Tralee Mikey Sheehy, Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council John Francis Flynn, Cllr Johnnie Wall and Cllr Charlie Farrelly at the reception on Denny Street. Photo by Dermot Crean
Cheering on their heroes. Photo by Dermot Crean
Cheering on their heroes. Photo by Dermot Crean
The scene on Denny Street before the team arrived. Photo by Dermot Crean
Róisín, Karen, Niall and Paudie Hayles with Jerry Crean on Denny Street. Photo by Dermot Crean
Bernard ‘Pop’ Lynch and friends waiting for the team. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kerry Team physio Paudie McQuinn from Tralee with son Joe on stage. Photo by Dermot Crean
Diarmuid O’Connor signs a shirt for a fan. Photo: Dermot Crean
Sean O’Shea salutes the crowd. Photo by Dermot Crean
David Clifford acknowledges the crowd. Photo by Dermot Crean
Stefan Okunbor waves to the fans. Photo by Dermot Crean
Joe O’Connor on stage at the homecoming on Monday night. Photo by Dermot Crean
