The homecoming took place on Monday evening, July 29, at Pearse Stadium, Salthill, where, despite the All-Ireland final defeat, a big crowd showed up in maroon and white to welcome the players home.
In the crowd, nurse Maureen Brown and her best friend, teacher Gráinne Faherty, said they could not miss the homecoming as “Galway wins together, Galway loses together”
Maureen said: “I think they played very well, I think towards the end maybe they got a bit nervous, but I can’t blame them for being nervous, because Armagh had a good defence. But they were brilliant, they played brilliantly, and we’re so proud of them. And it’s not about what team wins, it’s the fact that they got there.
A big crowd welcomed the Galway football team home
“They played a brilliant match and we’re so proud of them to get to the All-Ireland final. And please God next year they will bring Sam home.”
Julie Anne de Brún, PRO at Salthill Knocknacarra GAA club, looked forward to welcome home the club’s five Galway players.
She said: “We’re very proud of the lads, it didn’t go they way we expected but we always have next year, and I think they’ll come back stronger next year.”
While Galway City West Councillor Clodagh Higgins said she is “incredibly grateful” for the memories she got to create with her son.
She said: “It’s not the result that we wanted but we can be exceptionally proud of the lads and what they have delivered for Galway over the past couple of months.
“They’re going to come back to a really good welcome tonight and we’re exceptionally proud of what they have achieved.
“I’m incredibly grateful, because the memories that I’ve created with my five-year-old have just been incredible. They’re inspiring a whole new generation, and it’s just magical really.
“For my five-year-old, bringing him along to all the matches, here at Pearse Stadium and travelling around the country, it just been fantastic, it’s magical moment for me and my son, and my husband as well. I’m very grateful for the team.