Andy Moran: 'I never thought I'd get emotional for a Charlestown man'
Hero's welcome for Paul Towey as triumphant Mayo team bring Sam Maguire to Charlestown
“Our town
Our Towey”
The sign bristled with pride as cars parked wherever they could on the way into Charlestown.
The hometown hero Paul Towey was en route with his 41 teammates and the trophy that had eluded the town and county for 75 long years.
After a quick hello with Charlestown Sarsfield club stalwart Kevin Deignan, I made my way onto the impromptu stage to get a quick video for The Mayo News Facebook page.
What greeted me will stay with me for a lifetime.
Happy faces and the green and red of Mayo jerseys filled Ballagh Street and beyond.
It was reminiscent of Mufasa explains to Simba in the lion king that their kingdom stretched as far as the eye could see.
If anyone wanted to know what Mayo’s historic triumph means - this was one hell of a good expression of it.
The party was well underway when the DJ told the joyous crowd that the team bus had arrived.
The almighty chants of “Mayo, Mayo, Mayo” greeted Paul Towey and his triumphant team mates as they made their way to the stage.
Lifting the Sam Maguire trophy as he got on stage, the whole of Charlestown released a cheer that had been 75 years in the making.
Andy Moran joked to the crowd that he never thought he'd get emotional for a Charlestown man, he said that “Towey nearly made me shed my first tear of the week.”
When lifting the Sam Maguire trophy in Croke Park four days ago and many celebratory homecomings earlier that week, the Mayo captain, Jack Coyne, made a point of thanking the previous players who had worn the jersey with distinction.
On stage with the team in Charlestown, were former Mayo players and Charlestown Sarsfield club legends, Tom Parsons and John Casey. It was players such as these that Jack Coyne was referring to.
They embraced former teammate, and now Mayo manger, Andy Moran and enjoyed a victory that is all the sweeter given how much heartache and time it had taken.
Charlestown woman and Mayo GAA treasurer, Valerie Murphy, was also invited to lift the trophy to a big cheer from the hometown crowd.
Oasis frontmen Liam and Noel Gallagher are also synonymous with Charlestown and rumours went into overdrive on Thursday that Liam would make a special guest appearance with the Mayo team.
Rumours that were very much fuelled by the Knock airport Twitter account, it must be said!
Veteran Midwest Radio presenter, Tommy Marren, was loitering with intent with mic in hand backstage, just in case…
The homecoming celebrations were in full flow when “Liam Gallagher” came bounding on stage.
The impersonator got a big laugh and Mayo’s Jordan Flynn then joined in and sang “Live Forever.”
Tommie Conroy and Paul Towey then sang Wonderwall before the unofficial anthem of this homecoming “Dog Days Are Over” had the entire stage shaking as the entire panel danced and sang.
There was time for hugs and autographs, and a few photos before Towey and his teammates got back on board the bus and headed for the homecoming in Ballaghaderren.