HEROES OF TRALEE

Jubilation in the Kingdom as Sam arrives for 39th time

- BY NICOLA DONNELLY

TENS of thousands lined the streets of Tralee and Killarney yesterday as the Kerry senior team returned to a hero's welcome, following their victory over Donegal.

The Kingdom's 39th AllIreland title their first since 2022 sparked celebrations across the county, with green and gold flags waving proudly and chants echoing through the town as the team paraded the Sam Maguire Cup through the streets on an open top bus.

The winning team and management travelled from Dublin to Tralee by train.

They then travelled on the open top bus via Boherbee with a garda escort to a welcome home reception in Denny Street. Prior to their arrival, Dreams of Freedom and DJ Big Jim entertained the thousands of fans with live music.

MOMENT

Mayor of Tralee, Councillor Terry O'Brien told the crowd: "It's a huge honour for me to welcome you all to the capital town of the county to welcome home the Sam Maguire. We want to extend a huge thanks to Jack O'Connor and his team." Manager Jack O'Connor, who has led Kerry to his fifth All Ireland title, told Master of Ceremonies Alan Cantwell: "It's incredible we were just talking about the size of the crowd. I think this tops it all. Thanks very much.