Social Scene: Kerry are the Kings

Kings of September

The Kingdom are Kings again after claiming Sam Maguire for a 37th time last Sunday in what was a closely fought GAA Football All-Ireland Championship final in Croke Park against Donegal.

For the members of Éamonn Fitzmaurice's Kerry panel, the final whistle led to wild celebrations. For Kerry co-captain, Fionn Fitzgerald, a first All-Ireland winner's medal was an experience to behold, while even though more experienced, the Kerry duo of Killian Young and Aidan O'Mahony took great delight in Kerry's victory.

By contrast, for some of Kerry's first time All-Ireland winners, All-Ireland Football Final success was an experience they wished to take full advantage of, as Killarney Legion man James O'Donoghue took the opportunity to comment on teammate Kieran Donaghy, while Paul Geaney made a clarification that Kerry keeper Brian Kelly was not his identical twin!

Gracious in Defeat

The post-match scenes in the Donegal dressing room were different as Jim McGuinness' side could not repeat their All-Ireland Final heroics from 2012. The immediate aftermath of Sunday evening saw the members of the Donegal panel take to social media to express their heartbreak at missing out on Sam Maguire.

In spite of this though, the players of Donegal showed what great ambassadors they are for their county and the GAA by also congratulating Kerry on their victory, and expressing their thanks and appreciation for the great support received both on Sunday and over the whole of the 2014 GAA season.

Kerry young guns on song

It was celebration time for the minors of Kerry as well on Sunday evening as Jack O'Connor's side won the county's first All-Ireland minor title in 20 years. For young stars Cormac Coffey and Electric Ireland Man of the Match Mícheál Burns, the dream of playing for Kerry and winning and All-Ireland had come true. For one of the stars on the Kerry side, Killian Spillane, he received a congratulatory message from Irish rugby international Ian Madigan

Public React to Senior Final

Well known figures in the GAA and in Irish sport were quick to react to the All-Ireland Football Final, with some happier than others about the result depending on which type of green and gold colours they wore on Sunday.

For some of Kerry's recent stars, the experience of watching the Kingdom from the sidelines as a supporter was one they took just as much delight in, judging by their reaction on social media!

Former Irish rugby international Ronan O'Gara was quick to congratulate his neighbouring county, while current Dublin star Paul Flynn hailed the efforts of both sides, and reminded us all of the huge commitment that players go through to reach days like the All-Ireland Final.

High profile supporters of Donegal in Irish soccer international Shay Given and Ireland's double Olympic bronze medallist, boxer Paddy Barnes, couldn't help but be disappointed with Sunday's result. However as Hollywood star and Donegal supporter Sarah Jessica Parker pointed out, there is always next year.

Finally for former Westmeath star Dessie Dolan, the opportunity to get a picture with the famous Sam Maguire cup was one he could not pass up on - not a bad day Dessie!