Over 40,000 attend Mayo homecoming
An estimated 40,000 people attended Hastings MacHale Park to welcome home the victorious Mayo team following their historic and memorable victory in Sunday’s All-Ireland Senior Football Final against Kerry.
Thousands of Mayo supporters started making their way to Mayo GAA HQ since early afternoon as they wanted to welcome Andy Moran and his team home for what was a truly historic and memorable occasion.
There was an electric atmosphere at the famous Castlebar venue with music and entertainment provided. The MC’s for the event were Angelina Nugent and Michael D McAndrew.
In his address to the packed MacHale Park stadium, Mayo captain Jack Coyne said: “I am lost for words with this homecoming. Every corner of MacHale Park is filled with our supporters. It is only right now when I am looking out at this crowd that things are beginning to sink in. I knew the crowd was going to turn out and looking at the scenes here is just absolutely unbelievable. On behalf of the team, I would just like to thank every single one of you from the bottom of our hearts for this wonderful turnout for us today.”
Mayo manager Andy Moran said that nobody will ever laugh at Mayo football again.
“They sneered at us, they laughed at us, but they won’t laugh at us anymore.”
Moran also mentioned the Mayo faithful and their tremendous support for the team. "A couple of weeks ago, I said let them go a little bit nuts, and ye didn’t let me down!”
Moran spoke of the emotion the team felt when the team train crossed the border into Mayo.
“When we crossed the border into Ballyhaunis, our captain Jack Coyne said ‘stick your chest out and be proud to be from County Mayo.’ We have 42 guys in the panel, and they have given great heart, determination and commitment not just to the Mayo team, but to you the supporters as well. Kobe McDonald said this morning that if we give the Mayo supporters energy that ye will give it back to us, and my God, you gave it to us back.
“We were here before after losing six finals and we always used to have 4,000 to 8,000 people here for those homecomings. However, this evening is just incredible.”