Tuam Homecoming a dream come true for Galway captain

GALWAY Ladies Football Captain Kate Geraghy has thanked supporters for braving the elements at the team's homecoming event in Tuam Stadium.

Despite some heavy downpours of rain, thousands were on hand to see the Tuam woman bring the Brendan Martin Cup back to the county for the first time since 2004.

“The homecoming was class. There were such big numbers out here today, who came out despite the rain, raising their flags and cheering us on. The whole event was just amazing,” said a jubilant Kate Geraghty when speaking to The Tuam Herald shortly after the homecoming.

“My own club sent two buses full of young ladies who came up to Dublin to support us. It was great seeing so many of them here again today.”

Galway secured the Senior crown for just the second time in the county’s history, overcoming Kerry by 2-7 to 0-12.

Daniel Moynihan’s troops put in a great defensive performance throughout the game and fans showed the same will and determination during Monday’s homecoming. They battled the worsening rainfall and created an atmosphere and noise the Galway team won’t forget anytime soon.

The gates opened at 4pm ahead of the teams’ arrival and fans were in early to get their place near the front of the stage. The music reverberated as far back as the town square, a lovely backdrop of noise which got louder as people got closer to the stadium.

Sean Slattery and the Connections provided the entertainment, but as good as their repertoire of country music, Irish hits and rock classics was, this was little more than a warm-up for the main event.

After two hours of waiting, the crowd was at fever pitch as they finally caught their first glimpses of captain Kate Geraghty and the Brendan Martin Cup. A sea of maroon and white flags waved around the pitch while the band on stage belted out the iconic anthem Galway are back.

The team were welcomed home by County Cathaoirleach Andrew Reddington, while Galway LGFA Chair John Devlin and team sponsor Pat McDonagh spoke glowingly about the achievements of the players, coaches and backroom team.

Each of the players in the panel was called out one by one by MC John Mulligan, as were the management team and backroom staff. Nobody was forgotten amongst a group who had worked so hard to bring home the All-Ireland senior ladies football crown for the first time since 2004.

The biggest roar of the evening came for captain Kate Geraghty, who had the honour of leading her team into a homecoming in her native Tuam, while there was also a great cheer for double goalscorer Leanne Coen of Corofin.

The rain continued through the speeches of the Galway captain and manager Daniel Moynihan, as supporters braved the elements and were rewarded for their commitment.

The players stayed on for another 45 minutes after the ceremony had ended, signing autographs and happily posing for pictures with fans, young and old, until all had left the stadium.

“It was nice having the homecoming in Tuam. We train on this pitch too, so it was great to bring the cup back here,” added Tuam-Cortoon clubwoman Kate Geraghty.

“We were happy to stay around afterwards meeting fans. The kids were absolutely delighted to get our signatures. Hopefully they will now be all out playing football regularly and we won’t have to wait as long until the next All Ireland victory comes around."