‘Emotional' Kerry star leads homecoming celebrations from HIS pub that he compares to ‘New Year's Eve'

The Irish Sun

2 days ago

DINGLE was the setting for Tuesday's celebrations as Kerry's All-Ireland winners continue to revel in reclaiming Sam Maguire.
Monday's initial homecoming
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Paul Geaney owns a pub in Dingle
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He mentioned how supporters had answered David Clifford's Croke Park rallying cry after they beat Cavan
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Captain Gavin White further hailed the impact fans made in their knockout round wins
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Joe O'Connor will probably be behind only David Clifford for Footballer of the Year
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Paul Geaney owns a pub in the coastal town and summed up the merry occasion they savoured every minute of across the evening.
The now three-time All-Ireland winner hailed: "We're out in Dingle tonight. A few weeks ago David asked ye all to come out and back and ye did."
As the camera panned over the whole street the 34-year-old went on to compare it to New Year's Eve such was the turn-out.
He added: "This is unbelievable to be a part of. It's probably the best we've ever seen for Kerry and emotional but we're enjoying every minute of it."
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The instance he referenced about talisman David Clifford imploring their supporters to make a mockery of the stereotypical image of the county's fanbase being a bit lazier than the likes of Armagh or Tyrone came
Looking ahead to returning to Croke Park for another year, the 26-year-old outlined: 'I'd like to call for our supporters to get behind us. I'm not sure they realise the impact they can have on us in Croke Park.
"When we hear that Kerry crowd behind you it's worth five and six points to you in a game.'
So it proved as while their 2024 semi-final saw their followers vastly outnumbered by those in orange, there was a noticeably bigger Kerry presence among the crowd as they exacted revenge on Armagh.
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That improved connection was evident in further wins against Ulster opposition.
Tyrone in the semis and then Donegal on Sunday failed to stop them from reaching the summit of Gaelic football for a record-extending 39th time.
Paudie Clifford teases David over childhood nickname during hilarious RTE interview after All-Ireland heroics
The question mark hanging over their 2026 tilt for number 40 is whether Jack 0'Connor can be tempted to stick around for another year.
He's given mixed messages since he led them to the promised land for the fifth time as it's clear he's not going to make any rash decisions.
Immediately post-match he said: 'I think I was on record earlier in the year that it would probably be my last hurrah, do you know, so. I don't want to be telling ye lads before I tell anyone else.
'There's a lot more people down the corridor. Look, we'll do that in due course. There's no hurry.
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Star defender Tom O'Sullivan missed the decider through injury
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This was the picturesque scene outside Geaney's pub
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There was a trad music-heavy parade through the streets
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With musicians carrying on the playing of tunes inside Geaney's establishment
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'I was going out the door Thursday evening with the bag and my mrs took a picture of me going out the gate.
'I have a fair idea that will be up on the wall as my last hurrah. I'd say now she'll be firm on that one.'