‘Myself and Seamus cried all the way in the road’ - Ryan O'Donoghue
The Erris nation arose to meet their heroes on Wednesday evening, when the celebratory cavalcade came to Belmullet.
The story of the barony is one that is acutely felt elsewhere. Many of its people have departed to weave magic elsewhere on the globe as emigration took hold for centuries.
However, on a sun-splashed Tallagh evening, it felt like everyone to have ever set foot in Erris was at Belmullet's GAA pitch.
It was standing room only, as the tension built second by second.
First, though, there was a moment of fierce pride. Hundreds gathered at the bridge in Bellacorick where Erris begins, and tears were in no short supply as Ryan O'Donoghue, Seamus Howard and team physio Martin McIntyre descended from the bus to carry the cup into The Promised Land.
O'Donoghue is the embodiment of the people of the barony - rugged, fierce, passionate, and willing to die for his people.
All along the route, surreal scenes were spotted out the window. Whether it be the bonfires which seemed as tall as houses, or the row of tractors with a 'ROD' - themed Lamborghini sports car in the center, the passion was unmistakable.
However, the crowd patiently waited. The noise was so loud it hurt your brain as the adoring supporters sang and danced the night away.
As the Mayo team came to the panoramic window of the clubhouse, the decibel level skyrocketed as the cheers travelled across the Atlantic to New York, the next parish over.
You would think that was as loud as it could get. However, when the man of the hour, O'Donoghue, came into focus, the earth shook. O'Donoghue pounded the glass and gave them what they wanted.
Before long, the Sam Maguire Cup was being presented on the stage, but not before the Belmullet pair were flocked by their club team-mates.
“Myself and Seamus cried all the way in the road,” O'Donoghue declared, albeit with a voice which was a touch raspy.
He wasn't the only one. The outpouring of emotion around the ground was something else.
Grown men wept and embraced.
The usual hits were belted out at full pelt. Some of the panel may be in for All-Stars for their footballing abilities. Their singing skills, though, may be a tad questionable.
However, not one person in Belmullet cared. They whooped, hollered, and hung on every word of their heroes.
When the team departed, they were swarmed by fans vying for their moment. However, they weren't the only ones.
En route to the clubhouse, an almighty roar went up. This reporter turned around to see what the commotion was. Darragh Beirne, goalscoring hero on Sunday, was en route behind me. But the cheers weren't for him.
Stephen Grealis of Ballycroy, now a viral sensation for his radio commentary, was asked to sign jerseys.
“Ah here, this is getting a bit much now,” he exclaimed as he took the marker in hand and waited for his newfound fans.
A surreal scene, but one wouldn't expect anything else on this week of weeks.