It was as if the gardai had mounted a simultaneous raid on every pub in Tuam. Within seconds of referee John Bannon blowing the final whistle in yesterday's All-Ireland football final, more than 1,000 Galway fans poured out of Browne's pub and the Square Inn, where they brought traffic to a standstill in the town square.
It was like one of those emotional days in a fledgling state celebrating independence, with car horns sounding and flags piercing the air. "If only we had a fountain, I'd throw myself into it to celebrate," said a jubilant Martin Macken, who was only six the last time the All-Ireland came to Galway. On that day in 1966, Tuam's square was dominated by a fourth century High Cross, but last night a huge banner was being held up by fans which read: "Tuam - The Real Home of the Galway Football Team".
Thirteen members of the Galway panel went to school in Tuam's footballing nurseries of St Jarlath's and St Patrick's and locals were adamant last night that the final homecoming should be there rather than Galway city. "Galway city has no right to stage it. They have no players on the team and they didn't make much effort with flags," said a local publican.
Thirty thousand people are expected to pack into the Abbey Trinity car park tonight when the team gets in after a train journey to Athlone and a coach ride through Ballinasloe and Mount bellew. Galway Corporation has its own homecoming scheduled for Eyre Square two hours after the Tuam event, but the organisers in Tuam are hoping to drag on their celebrations.
"With fireworks and bands, who knows, it might be too late for them to go to Galway, and wouldn't that be terrible?" said one local.
Lorna Siggins adds: Shortly before 5 p.m., after several hours of deathly silence, the suburb of Salthill gave a simultaneous cheer. One elderly man ran out into his front garden with tears streaming down his face. Several students who had been watching the final in one of the pubs jumped into the sea from Blackrock.
"Sam Onella!" one of the women shrieked, in a play on the victory and the recent pollution scare. In Eyre Square, car horns were already sounding as both enthusiasts and bemused visitors including tourists attending the Guinness Oyster Festival, celebrated with sheer abandon.
Out on the Sea Road, drivers waving Galway flags ignored traffic lights and speed limits as their passengers hung out of windows and sun-roofs. A woman who had driven from Loughrea said she had really no interest in Gaelic football, but she couldn't stay at home after the win - and anyway she was driving a maroon car. A young man grabbed her by the arm as she spoke. "They thought that The West was asleep," he said. "I hope some of those bookies know better next time. They should stick to horses."