Don’t give up the day job – David Henry was in flying form as he led the team in an impromptu performance of Molly Malone from the stage at Merrion Square
Stephen Cluxton and Tomás Quinn wave to the crowd
Mickey Whelan holds the Sam Maguire aloft
Thousands of fans turned up to show their appreciation
Sam in Sam – Bryan Cullen and Eamon Fennell pose with young fan Sam Murphy
By Micil Glennon
Thousands of Dublin supporters have turned out in the city centre to ‘welcome home’ their All-Ireland-winning heroes.
The victorious Boys in Blue were hailed by fans in Merrion Square in Dublin as they showed off the Sam Maguire won after the most dramatic of finales against Kerry on Sunday.
Earlier they brought the famous trophy to the Children’s Hospital in Crumlin and met fans and posed with the cup in the Burlington Hotel.
Bryan Cullen – the first Dublin captain to lift the trophy since John O’Leary in 1995 – told RTÉ: “In years gone by we probably would have let that game slip through the net. But it’s a testament to the lads that they dug deep and dug it out.”
Forward Paul Flynn added that beating Kerry in the final was “a dream come true”.
Corner-back Cian O’Sullivan was delighted to be able to show off the trophy, saying: “It’s a great, great turnout and it’s great to see so many young kids.”
Former captain Colin Moran, who led Dublin through some of the barren spell, said: “16 years waiting, 16 years of heartbreak but a magnificent performance yesterday and to do it in the final against Kerry and to come from behind, it’s just such an outpouring of emotion, it’s incredible.”