Is Westport going to get a Sam Maguire homecoming?
Councillors have voiced their willingness to organise a homecoming of the All-Ireland winning Mayo team to Westport.
“What we want to achieve is what the people want,” says TD Keira Keogh (Fine Gael) from Westport.
“Councillor Peter Flynn, councillor Brendan Mulroy and myself have been inundated on a daily basis from proud Mayo fans that really want to see an official homecoming for Sam Maguire and the team in Westport, also for Kilmeena, and taking in some of the other villages like Islandeady and Newport as well. “
According to Keogh, councillors are working hard to secure a date with Mayo GAA. They are aware of the hugely busy schedule for the players and the management, with a wedding this weekend and the club championships starting.
If it happens, it won’t be this week or the bank holiday, she indicates.
But the idea is to get something in the diary, something potentially on the grounds of Westport Estate or potentially in the centre of town.
“And you can be assured that it'll be big and bold,” Keogh explains: “We have some fantastic music acts already confirmed and willing to take part. And we're working closely with the local GAA clubs as well.
Keogh feels, Westport as one of the bigger towns in Mayo deserves a homecoming.
“And people will argue that the team have been in Westport. And I think the team have brought a lot to Westport. They've had great parties. We've all seen the great atmosphere that was on Bridge Street and in Bar 23. But just like every other town and village in the county, we have smallies that really want to see their heroes. We've people in their 80s and 90s that have been waiting 75 years for this, and they want to see their heroes.”
The goal is to give everyone the opportunity to meet their heroes, maybe hold Sam Maguire for a second, get the jerseys autographes.
“And if it has to be a few weeks of a wait, Westport is patient. We've been waiting 75 years, and we're happy to wait a little bit longer.”