A moving and impromptu tribute that saw hundreds of Kerry fans applaud the beaten Tyrone team and its manager, Mickey Harte, in Killarney last Saturday has drawn warm praise from Tyrone GAA.
The applause began outside the dressing rooms at Fitzgerald Stadium as the Tyrone team prepared for the journey home, and was taken up by hundreds more as the team bus made its way through the town.
An account posted on the Tyrone GAA website has drawn widespread attention, with hundreds of people leaving comments.
It reported that about 500 Kerry fans waited outside the dressing rooms and, as the Tyrone team started to board their bus, began to applaud.
“That ripple grew and grew,” the report said. “When Mickey Harte appeared, a cheer of support went up.”
As the coach moved through Killarney, hundreds on the streets applauded warmly.
“If you wanted your faith in decency, respect, honour and dignity restored, then Killarney at about eight o’clock last Saturday evening was the place to be,” the website contributor wrote.
Kerry county board chairman Patrick O’Sullivan said the expression of solidarity was “very moving”.